Top military brass, including Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha and Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdul Suleh, inspected the Igbokoda crash site to assess the situation and provide technical guidance for the recovery of the submerged Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft. The aircraft, with tail number NAF 931, crashed in a location that has made recovery efforts challenging. The assessment visit followed a gathering at the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Igbokoda, where government officials, community leaders, and emergency management agencies expressed their condolences and support for the Armed Forces.
The delegation was received by Navy Captain Andy Alemongwa, and included high-ranking officials such as the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Commissioners for Health and Environment, and representatives of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Nigerian Red Cross Society, and National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA). Rear Admiral Mustapha conveyed the appreciation of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Service Chiefs to the Ondo State Government and other stakeholders for their support since the incident occurred.
The military has intensified recovery efforts, with an underwater survey using side-scan sonar equipment commenced to map the crash location and determine the position of the submerged aircraft. This survey aims to assist divers and technical personnel in identifying the aircraft's location and planning subsequent recovery operations. The operation has been reinforced with Nigerian Navy divers and Nigerian Air Force drone pilots using specialised equipment to conduct precise searches across the surrounding mangrove and forested areas.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has deployed the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Department with state-of-the-art sonar scan equipment to get a clear underwater picture of the mapped-out area. This equipment will help overcome the challenges posed by the turbidity of the swamp. The Nigerian Navy Air Arm is also contributing to the recovery operation, providing additional support to the efforts.
Rear Admiral Mustapha interacted with the technical crew at the swamp buggy launching point, encouraging them to intensify efforts towards the prompt execution of the recovery operation. The recovery operation involves collaboration among military formations, emergency response agencies, security organisations, technical personnel, and other stakeholders working to recover the submerged aircraft and its contents.
The delegation, accompanied by selected stakeholders, travelled by boat to the crash site for an on-the-spot assessment of the ongoing operation. At the site, the team assessed the situation and provided technical guidance aimed at facilitating the timely recovery of the submerged aircraft and its contents. The team also expressed appreciation to Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and Hi-Tech and AUC Construction companies, for providing mechanised equipment to support the recovery efforts.
The recovery operation is a complex effort that requires cooperation and coordination among various stakeholders. The military has urged stakeholders to remain calm and continue to cooperate with the agencies involved in the recovery operation. The incident has garnered significant attention, with many stakeholders, including experts and officials, weighing in on the challenges and implications of the crash.
Key points
- The Nigerian military has deployed advanced equipment, including side-scan sonar and state-of-the-art sonar scan equipment, to aid in the recovery of the submerged aircraft.
- The recovery operation involves collaboration among multiple stakeholders, including military formations, emergency response agencies, and technical personnel.
- The incident has highlighted the challenges of operating in difficult terrain and the importance of cooperation and coordination in such situations.
