An aircraft arriving from Enugu veered off the runway after landing at Benin Airport on Thursday as heavy rainfall lashed the area, with no injuries reported.
The incident initially sparked fears of a plane crash, but the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) clarified that the aircraft landed safely before sliding off the runway due to the adverse weather conditions.
The NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, dismissed reports suggesting the aircraft had crashed, explaining that it was a runway excursion caused by the downpour.
“The aircraft landed safely but skidded off the runway due to the adverse weather conditions,” Achimugu said.
He confirmed that all passengers and crew members were safe, adding that no casualties or injuries were recorded.
A video obtained by SaharaReporters showed passengers calmly disembarking from the aircraft after it came to a stop in a swampy area beside the runway.
Attempts to obtain a reaction from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) were unsuccessful, as the agency’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku, did not respond to calls at the time the report was filed.
Enugu Air aircraft crash lands in Benin Airport this afternoon🙆🏼♂️💔 pic.twitter.com/djcWroDp1S
— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) July 23, 2026
