The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has opened a probe into a runway overrun that occurred at Benin Airport on Thursday afternoon involving an Enugu Air Embraer E170 jet. The aircraft, marked 5N-ENR and flying as Flight 4264 from Lagos, skidded past the edge of Runway 05 when it touched down at around 3:10 PM.
A total of 68 people were aboard the flight—63 passengers and five crew members. All evacuated safely with no injuries reported.
Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe, the bureau's director of public affairs and family assistance, confirmed that investigators deployed to the scene within minutes of notification. The team is now collecting evidence, speaking with pilots and ground staff, checking runway conditions, and reviewing flight data to establish what caused the overrun.
Alex Badeh, the investigation bureau's director general, stressed that while the outcome was fortunate, such incidents demand serious scrutiny. "We are relieved that all passengers and crew members are safe and that no injuries were reported," he said.
"While this is reassuring, every runway excursion is a serious occurrence that deserves a thorough and independent investigation."
Badeh added that his team was deployed quickly to the airport and called for patience from the public. "Our Go Team was on the ground within minutes of notification," he noted.
"We urge the public to refrain from speculation as our investigators carry out their work in accordance with international standards."
Both the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria received notice of the incident. The jet has been cordoned off and remains grounded pending further assessment.
Under rules set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the bureau will release a preliminary report within 30 days. A full report with safety recommendations for airlines and airports will follow afterward.
The runway overrun is expected to disrupt Enugu Air's domestic operations temporarily as safety checks proceed.
