Residents of Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State shared their experience of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashing into a swampy area in the community on Monday. The aircraft, marked NAF931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos with 25 personnel on board, including seven crew members. The incident occurred around 11:00 a.m. and caused a loud bang that sparked panic among residents.
The loud bang led many residents to believe that it was a terrorist attack or a war, prompting them to run in different directions for safety. Many parents rushed to their children's schools to pick them up, while commercial activities were temporarily halted as shops were closed and streets deserted. The incident brought the community to a standstill, with residents unsure of what had happened.
Mr Adesina Alade, a resident, recounted his experience, stating that he was scared when he heard the loud bang and thought it was a war or terror attack. He mentioned that it took him a while to calm down and realize what had happened. Alade's account was similar to those of other residents, who described the scene as chaotic and frightening.
Mrs Mariam Oluyemi, a market woman, said that she quickly closed her shop and rushed to her children's school to bring them home. She, along with other market women, had to abandon their stalls due to the panic caused by the loud bang. The streets were deserted, and commercial activities were disrupted, with many residents waiting for news on what had happened.
Another resident, Ahmed Ayanwale, stated that he was sleeping when he heard the loud bang, which he described as similar to a thunder strike due to the rain. He rushed outside to find that the streets had been deserted, with people indoors due to fear. Ayanwale later heard that it was a plane crash and went to the crash site to see things for himself.
Mrs Modesola Aladeyehun said that the incident disrupted commercial activities in Igbokoda and its environs. After recovering from the initial shock, residents trooped to the crash site. Aladeyehun described the scene as horrible and expressed her sadness over the loss of 25 lives in the crash.
The Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda has raised concerns about aviation safety and the impact of such incidents on local communities. The incident is being investigated, and authorities are working to determine the cause of the crash. For now, residents of Igbokoda are left to pick up the pieces and try to move on from the traumatic experience.
Key points
- 25 personnel were on board the crashed NAF aircraft, including seven crew members.
- The incident caused panic among residents, disrupting commercial activities in Igbokoda.
- Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.
