The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, have agreed to deepen collaboration between the Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on aviation safety, airworthiness, certification, training, and capacity building. This agreement was reached after Keyamo paid a condolence visit to Aneke following the tragic Nigerian Air Force aircraft incident at Igbokoda, in Ondo State. The incident has highlighted the need for greater cooperation and sharing of expertise between the two sectors.
Keyamo expressed sympathy to the NAF, describing the incident as a national tragedy, and commended the gallantry and sacrifices of the men and women of the Air Force. He stressed that tragedies within the aviation sector do not distinguish between military and civilian operators, noting that both sectors ultimately serve the same country and protect the same citizens. The minister noted that the NAF already relies on civil aviation infrastructure, particularly air traffic control, and said the existing relationship should now be expanded into a more structured partnership.
A joint committee involving the NCAA and the NAF will be established to facilitate collaboration in airworthiness, certification, training, and other aviation safety measures, while respecting the statutory mandates of both institutions. Keyamo announced that personnel of the NAF would be given access to relevant training opportunities undertaken by the civil aviation authorities. He also acknowledged that the NAF possesses specialised expertise that would be beneficial to the civil aviation sector, describing the proposed relationship as a mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and experience.
The Nigerian Navy has deployed specialised underwater sonar equipment to locate the crashed Air Force ATR-42 aircraft submerged in the swampy area of Igbokoda. The deployment followed an on-the-spot assessment of the crash site by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, and the Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdul Suleh. The sonar survey is expected to guide divers and other technical personnel in locating the aircraft and planning its recovery.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has ordered the sustained search for the victims and wreckage of the aircraft, saying every effort must be made to recover those involved in the tragedy. Aiyedatiwa visited the crash site, received a briefing on the ongoing search and recovery operation, and commended the efforts of the emergency agencies and stakeholders involved. The government has responded to the difficult terrain by deploying two amphibious machines, popularly known as swamp buggies, to create wider access to the crash location and facilitate the movement of larger boats and rescue equipment.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Aneke, thanked Keyamo for the condolence visit and for his continued support for the Air Force. He described Keyamo's gesture as a demonstration of the strong relationship that has developed between the civil and military aviation sectors under his leadership. Both institutions have commenced discussions on a framework that would enable personnel from the civil aviation sector to contribute to the Air Force's safety environment, particularly in the areas of airworthiness and certification.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has condoled the Nigerian Air Force over the tragic loss of lives in the aircraft incident. The Labour Party presidential candidate, Obi, also visited the NAF facility and signed the condolence register, commiserating with the Air Force on the tragic incident. The incident has brought attention to the need for enhanced safety measures and cooperation between the civil and military aviation sectors in Nigeria.
Key points
- The Nigerian government has moved to bridge the gap between civil and military aviation safety following a tragic aircraft incident at Igbokoda.
- A joint committee will be established to facilitate collaboration in airworthiness, certification, training, and other aviation safety measures between the NCAA and the NAF.
- The Nigerian Navy has deployed specialised underwater sonar equipment to locate the crashed Air Force ATR-42 aircraft submerged in the swampy area of Igbokoda.
