NAF Crash: No Survivor Found Yet, Says Ondo Governor
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said no survivor has so far been found following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.
The aircraft crashed on Monday in a swampy area opposite a naval base in Igbokoda while reportedly travelling from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos on a routine mission.
Speaking on Channels Television, Aiyedatiwa said he was informed about the incident at about 10:30am by the chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area.
The governor said residents and personnel at the nearby naval facility initially heard a loud sound, which some likened to an earth tremor, before witnesses reportedly saw the aircraft descend into the swamp.
According to him, naval personnel first assessed the area toz ensure there was no immediate danger from fire or an explosion before commencing a search operation.
He added that officials of the local emergency management agency, residents and personnel of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun, subsequently joined the rescue efforts.
Aiyedatiwa said the search team found parts of the aircraft, including wreckage from its wings, identity cards and a military uniform, but had not located any living person at the scene.
“From the information we got, no single life was saved up to this moment,” the governor said, stressing that there was no confirmed survivor as of the time of his latest briefing.
The governor described the incident as a painful tragedy, noting that it occurred in his home state and local government.
He said the victims were military personnel carrying out duties aimed at protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
The NAF confirmed that the aircraft involved was an ATR-42 and said it was conducting a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos when the crash occurred.
The Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Ehimen Ejodame, said the service had activated search and rescue operations in collaboration with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.
The Air Force initially did not disclose the number of people aboard the aircraft or confirm the number of casualties.
The aircraft was reportedly used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, as well as air maritime missions.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has directed the Nigerian Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu described the incident as a painful moment for the Nigerian Armed Forces and the country.
