A Nigerian Air Force aircraft, an ATR-42, crashed on Monday in Igbokoda, Ondo State, killing all 32 people on board. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed sadness over the incident, calling for an audit of the defence budget, particularly the maintenance allocation for the Nigerian Air Force. The party's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated that the crash highlights the poor funding of defence budgets in the country.
According to official figures, the Federal Government released only N4.5 billion, representing 13.98 per cent of the N34.71 billion budgeted for the maintenance of Nigerian Air Force aircraft, as of December 2025. In contrast, N20.74 billion was allocated for the maintenance of the Presidential Air Fleet, of which N20.27 billion had been released, representing 97.76 per cent. The ADC described this disparity as unacceptable, stating that the safety of pilots and airmen who defend the country is just as important as the safety of the President.
The ADC demanded investigations into the cause of the crash and a thorough probe of the maintenance of defence equipment, especially the Nigerian Air Force fleet. The party emphasized that patriotism and condolence messages do not replace accountability and spare parts. The incident has raised questions about the neglect of military equipment and the implementation of defence budgets.
The Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, visited the community on Tuesday and disclosed that efforts to remove the wreckage of the crashed aircraft are ongoing. He described the terrain as difficult, with creeks and mangroves, making it challenging to assess the site and recover the wreckage and victims. Ohagwu stated that his men are working to recover the wreckage, but it is a slow process.
Commissioner Ohagwu reiterated that there are no survivors yet in the crash, stating that his men discovered that most of the bodies and parts of the aircraft were in pieces. He described the scene as having body parts and clothes littered everywhere, with passengers' clothes floating in the water. The police boss added that more technical support is needed to evacuate the remaining parts of the ill-fated aircraft.
Ohagwu noted that bigger machines are needed to carry out the operation and that his men are still expecting a response from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other agencies to assist with the evacuation. The recovery of the wreckage is still in progress, and the police commissioner promised not to speculate until after the conclusion of the investigation by the relevant agencies.
The incident has sparked concerns about the safety of military aircraft and the need for adequate funding for their maintenance. The ADC's call for an audit of the defence budget has highlighted the need for transparency and accountability in the allocation of funds for national security. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
Key points
- The Nigerian Air Force aircraft that crashed in Ondo State was carrying 32 people, all of whom were killed in the incident.
- The African Democratic Congress has called for an audit of the defence budget, citing a significant disparity in the allocation of funds for the maintenance of the Nigerian Air Force and the Presidential Air Fleet.
- The search and rescue operation at the crash site is ongoing, with efforts to recover the wreckage and victims hindered by the swampy terrain.
