A Nigerian Air Force aircraft with tail number NGR 931 crashed in a swampy area of Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on a routine flight from Benin to Lagos, resulting in the deaths of all 25 people on board, including the crew. The crash occurred opposite the Naval Forward Operating Base in Igbokoda, and the incident has been met with an outpouring of support from the Ondo State Government and residents.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, visited the crash site and ordered a high-level investigation into the incident. Aneke assured the families of the deceased that the Nigerian Armed Forces would provide them with the necessary support. He also commended the Ondo State Government and residents of Igbokoda for their response to the disaster, noting that the locals were the first responders.
The crash site has proved difficult to access due to its swampy terrain, with initial recovery attempts using small boats and canoes reportedly inadequate. The Ondo State Government deployed heavy-duty amphibious excavators, known as swamp buggies, to the crash site, along with technical personnel and specialised detection equipment to help locate the submerged wreckage. However, as of the time of the report, only fragments of the aircraft had been recovered.
Aneke directed the Superintendent of Safety and Evaluation to assemble a high-level team comprising military and civilian safety experts to investigate the crash. The team will include experts from the Accident and Emergency Management Board, retired senior officers, and experienced Air Force officers. The Air Chief urged members of the public to avoid speculation on the cause of the crash until the investigation is concluded.
The Nigerian Air Force has prioritised aviation safety, and Aneke assured that the service would leave no stone unturned in determining what led to the accident. He expressed his grief over the incident, noting that he personally knew those on board the flight. Aneke also commended the governor of Ondo State and the residents of Igbokoda for their support.
The Chief of the Air Staff assured the families of the deceased that the Nigerian Air Force would provide the necessary assistance. He also expressed his condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the tragic incident, noting that the sacrifice of those on board the aeroplane would be honoured. Aneke added that the military would continue to stand by the bereaved families.
The investigation into the crash is expected to provide vital information on the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the recovery of the flight recorder, popularly known as the black box. The Nigerian Air Force has promised to support the families of the victims and ensure that they receive the necessary assistance.
Key points
- - The Nigerian Air Force has ordered a high-level investigation into the crash. - The crash resulted in the deaths of all 25 people on board. - The Nigerian Air Force has pledged to support the families of the victims.
