President Bola Tinubu has ordered a thorough investigation into Monday’s crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The President, who expressed profound sadness over the incident, mourned the Air Force personnel involved in the crash and said the investigation must establish its cause and help prevent a recurrence.
The aircraft, carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed on Monday morning.
Tinubu extended his condolences to the families of those involved, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and officers, airmen, and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said, “This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation. Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten”.
Tinubu said the Chief of the Air Staff briefed him, and he directed the Air Force to immediately investigate the accident.
“The Chief of Air Staff has briefed me, and I have directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences”, he said.
The President also commended the Nigerian Air Force for immediately activating a Search and Rescue operation following the crash.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of the personnel and asked God to grant their families and the Nigerian Air Force the strength to bear the loss.
“I pray for the repose of the souls of the gallant officers and for Almighty God to grant their families and the Nigerian Air Force the fortitude to bear the unfortunate loss”, Tinubu said.
The President assured the Air Force of his administration’s continued support as it carries out its responsibility to secure the country.
“I assure the Nigerian Air Force of the continued support of our administration as they continue their vital role in securing our nation”, he added.
Tinubu also praised first responders and the Ondo State Government for their swift response at the crash site.
Thirty-two people on board the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) aircraft crashed into a swamp in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday.
The swamp is a few metres away from the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Igbokoda.
The military aircraft, an ATR-42 with registration number NGR 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos State when it lost contact with air traffic controllers at about 9:13 am.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed this in a statement issued in an Abuja.
Keyamo said preliminary information indicated that “25 passengers and seven crew members” were on board the crashed aircraft
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board,” he said.
The Minister said he had spoken to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, pledging total cooperation and assistance in the search and rescue efforts of the victims.
Confirming the incident, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it had activated an immediate Search and Rescue operation at the scene of the crash.
The Director of Public Relations and Information Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, who disclosed this said the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
“Search and Rescue operations, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, are currently ongoing.
“The NAF is committed to ensuring the success of the ongoing Search and Rescue efforts. Further details will be communicated in due course,” he said.
Although no official statement on the casualties involved the crash.
The Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Maurice Oripelaye, who spoke in a telephone conversation, said the aircraft was engulfed by fire following the crash and was badly burnt. Newspapers
Oripelaye also disclosed that a ‘military uniform’ was found burnt inside the wreckage of the aircraft.
According to him, no survivor had been located at the crash site.
“We found a military wear, already burnt inside the wreckage of the helicopter by the time we got to the scene of the incident,” Oripelaye said.
Following the crash, Ondo State Police Command has appealed to residents to remain calm over the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Abayomi, in a statement, urged residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to rely on information from the authorities.
“The Command urges members of the public, particularly residents of Igbokoda and adjoining communities, to remain calm and refrain from circulating unverified information,” Abayomi said.
According to him, security and emergency authorities were working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the crash.
“The public will be duly informed as soon as further credible information becomes available,” the statement added.
The crash sparked tension in the coastal community, with the residents gathering around the area while security personnel moved to secure the crash site.
Speaking, the Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, said he was initially worried that the aircraft involved in the incident might be a passenger plane because of the potentially high number of casualties.
“I was praying and hoping it was not a plane because the number of casualties would have been too high. Our first gratitude is to Almighty God that it did not crash inside the town,” the monarch said.
Oba Odidiomo explained that the aircraft crashed across a river in a bushy, waterlogged area, a situation he believed prevented a major fire outbreak.
The monarch said information available to him indicated that the crashed aircraft was a Nigerian Air Force helicopter.
“From what we have gathered so far, it is a helicopter belonging to the Nigerian Air Force. They have confirmed that,” he said.
He added that, as of the time he spoke, there were no reports of survivors from the crash. “So far, there have not been any survivors,” he said.
Meanwhile, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has expressed grief over the crash and directed the state emergency agencies to provide immediate support for ongoing search and rescue operations.
Aiyedatiwa, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, said has contacted the Nigerian Air Force authorities, Ilaje Local Government Chairman, Maurice Oripelaye, and security agencies following the crash.
The governor directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ministry of Health and relevant security agencies to immediately mobilise personnel, equipment and other logistical support for the rescue operation.
Aiyedatiwa also ordered that the crash site be properly cordoned off and secured to facilitate unhindered rescue efforts and prevent interference with emergency operations.
He appealed to residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm and cooperate with emergency responders, while warning against the circulation of unverified information about the incident.
The governor sympathised with the Chief of Air Staff, officers and men of the Nigerian Air Force and families of those aboard the aircraft.
He said the state government would continue to monitor developments and provide updates based on information released by the Nigerian Air Force.
