The brother of Sergeant Aisekegbe Esther Ani, one of the 25 people killed in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, has spoken out about the devastating impact of the tragedy on his family. Victor Ani described the incident as a painful loss, saying his family has been torn apart. He expressed his struggles in coping with the loss of his sister, who was a sergeant in the NAF.
The aircraft, an ATR-42, crashed into a swamp near the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base in Igbokoda last Monday. Victor alleged that the aircraft developed a technical fault while traveling from Abuja to Lagos, forcing it to make an unscheduled stop in Benin City, Edo State. According to him, his late sister had informed him of the reported technical fault before the crash.
Victor confirmed the authenticity of a viral video in which he spoke about the incident. In the video, he lamented the lack of updates from the NAF on body recovery, investigation, and support for affected families, five days after the crash. He expressed frustration that as the next of kin, he had not received any information from the NAF.
The NAF has responded to Victor's allegations, saying a thorough investigation into the accident is ongoing. Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, stated that the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the issues raised by Victor, would be examined as part of the investigative process.
The investigation into the crash is focused on determining the cause of the incident. NAF Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation, Air Vice Marshal Ebimobo Ebiowe, said investigators are working to recover the aircraft's Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), commonly known as the black box. These recorders could provide vital evidence to help investigators reconstruct the flight's final moments.
The crash has had a significant impact on the families of the victims, including civilians and military personnel. Victor described his sister as one of the most important people in his life, and he is struggling to comfort their mother, as Esther was the family's firstborn. The families are still waiting for updates on the recovery of the bodies and the investigation.
The NAF has promised to provide updates on the investigation and support for affected families. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of military aircraft and the need for thorough investigations into such incidents. The recovery of the black box and other wreckage components is expected to provide crucial evidence in determining the cause of the crash.
Key points
- The NAF aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, killed 25 people, including Sergeant Aisekegbe Esther Ani.
- The brother of the deceased officer, Victor Ani, has spoken out about the devastating impact of the tragedy on his family.
- The NAF has promised to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and provide support to affected families.
