A classmate of Squadron Leader Mahmoud Aburime, pilot of the ill-fated Air Force aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State on Monday, has paid a moving tribute to his memory. Squadron Leader Aburime was a postgraduate student of Mass Communication at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) before his death. His classmate, Samson Akharele, described Aburime as a calm, disciplined, humble and promising officer, who combined military service with his pursuit of higher education.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) intensified search and recovery operations on Thursday, three days after the crash involving its ATR 42 aircraft, NAF 931, which killed 25 personnel, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers. The military aircraft crashed during a routine flight from Benin to Lagos. Anxious residents joined relatives of the victims, who thronged the swampy site of the crash.
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who visited the site on Thursday, was accompanied by the Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base (FOB), Igbokoda, Navy Captain Andy Alemongwa. The tragedy threw Squadron Leader Aburime’s course mates into mourning. Akharele said Aburime was expected to round off his Master’s coursework this month before commencing his dissertation.
Akharele lamented the turn of events, saying the officer’s academic aspirations, career plans and family expectations were abruptly cut short by the crash. He described Aburime as a “promising, brilliant, intelligent and ambitious young man,” who maintained a low profile despite his military career. Akharele added that Aburime was easy-going, calm, reserved, humble and gentle, and dignified in appearance.
The NAF said the coordinated operation was being led by the Service under the direction of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, with personnel working with other security and emergency agencies to recover the main part of the aircraft, the black box and bodies from the swampy terrain. NAF’s spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the Air Chief praised the personnel involved in the operation for their dedication and professionalism.
The Nigerian Navy also deployed “specialised sonar equipment” to locate the aircraft, following an assessment of the site by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, and the Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, NAF, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdul Suleh. The sonar survey would assist in mapping out the crash location and establish the precise position of the submerged aircraft.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Air Marshal Aneke agreed to deepen collaboration between the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in aviation safety, airworthiness, certification, training and capacity building. Keyamo said the incident had strengthened the need for greater cooperation and the sharing of expertise between the two sides, adding that it was essential to narrow the strict dichotomy between civil and military aviation safety.
Key points
- The Nigerian Air Force has intensified search and recovery operations for the crashed ATR 42 aircraft, NAF 931, which killed 25 personnel.
- Squadron Leader Mahmoud Aburime, pilot of the ill-fated aircraft, was a postgraduate student of Mass Communication at the University of Benin.
- The Nigerian Navy has deployed specialised sonar equipment to locate the submerged aircraft.
