The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has reacted to Thursday’s runway incident involving the state-owned airline, Enugu Air, at Benin Airport, empathizing with the passengers and crew members over the traumatic experience.

Mbah, in a statement he personally signed, commended the aviation authorities for immediately initiating an investigation into the incident, saying that, for Enugu Air, safety remained non-negotiable.

In the statement made available to newsmen on Friday, the governor said, “The Enugu State Government is aware of the runway excursion incident affecting Enugu Air, Embraer E170, Flight 4264, operating until the Benin Airport from Lagos on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

“The government empathizes with the 63 passengers and five crew members on board the aircraft over the traumatic experience and is thankful to God that no life was lost and no injuries have so far been reported.

“The government commends the swiftness of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) in embarking on the ongoing investigation to determine the circumstances and factors that may have led to the incident. The government will ensure the full cooperation of its going concern, Enugu Air, with the investigation and regulatory authorities.

“While the outcome of the investigation is awaited, the government assures the public that the operations of Enugu Air are guided by the highest safety standards. The airline is founded on a corporate culture that places safety above profit and schedule, and its quality assurance and quality control systems stipulate a safety threshold that is considerably higher than the industry benchmark.

“This accounts for the growing confidence and patronage the airline has continued to enjoy from both passengers and industry stakeholders. Enugu Air will therefore continue to serve its teeming customers and abide by its utmost commitment to safety, professionalism, and a sense of hospitality.”

He thanked Nigerians for their support following the incident, as many continued to relive their pleasurable experiences flying the airline.

“The Enugu State Government wishes to express its profound gratitude to Nigerians for the outpouring of solidarity since the unfortunate incident. Quite uncommonly, Nigerians have continued to share their positive experiences with Enugu Air since it was launched a year ago. This matters so much to us as a government at this time,” he concluded.

A pastor of the Power in the Word of God for the World Ministry has been found dead inside his church in Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, with the circumstances surrounding his death still unknown.

The incident happened on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the church located on Etim Inyang Street in Oron.

The discovery of the pastor’s body has caused concern among residents, while many people in the area have been discussing different claims about what may have happened.

Some residents believe the pastor may have taken his own life. However, there has been no official confirmation from the police, and the reports circulating on social media remain unverified.

Videos shared online showed people believed to be members of the church carrying the pastor’s body out of the building.

Another video showed the body, wrapped in cloth, inside a police pickup van belonging to the Oron Area Command.

As of the time of reporting, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command had not released an official statement explaining the cause of the pastor’s death or the outcome of any investigation.

Efforts by Premium Times to get a response from the police were unsuccessful, as the spokesperson for the command, Timfon John, did not answer phone calls or reply to text messages seeking comments on the incident.

Authorities are expected to investigate the case to determine the exact cause of the pastor’s death.

• All seen seated together in living room

Five members of a single family have been found dead inside their home in Umuimo Village, Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State.

Neighbours reportedly made the discovery after forcing their way into the apartment following days of concern over the family’s absence.

Worried community members broke into the residence on Monday, July 22, 2026, after the family had not been seen since Saturday, July 19.

The bodies were already in an advanced state of decomposition when neighbours entered the house.

Those who arrived early at the scene reported that the five bodies were found in the sitting room, positioned in a manner that suggested the family may have been eating when they died.

Partly consumed food, including cooked chicken and groundnuts that had not been finished, was found in the same room.

This led to early speculation that the family may have died from food poisoning or generator fumes, though no official cause of death has been established.

Following local tradition, community members performed customary rites before the bodies were removed and taken to a morgue.

Police confirm incident

The Abia State Police Command confirmed the death of the five members of the same family, which has
thrown the Umuimo community into mourning

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abia State Command, DSP Maureen Chinaka, said the matter was reported by the deceased’s brother after he was unable to reach one of the victims.

She said police officers accompanied the complainant to the family’s residence at Umuimo Village, Osisioma Ngwa.

According to Chinaka, “Upon arrival, repeated knocks yielded no response. They subsequently forced entry into the house, where they discovered the lifeless and decomposing bodies of their brother and his family.

“The crime scene has been visited. A preliminary visual inspection of the bodies was conducted, and photographs taken. The corpses have been deposited at the morgue for preservation and autopsy. Investigation is ongoing.”

The police said investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.