President Bola Tinubu has declared a three-day national mourning period following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, which reportedly claimed the lives of all 32 people on board.
The aircraft, an ATR-42 with tail number NAF 931, was on a routine flight from Benin to Lagos when it crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
The Nigerian Air Force said the aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members. Search and rescue operations were immediately activated in collaboration with relevant authorities and emergency agencies.
Following the incident, President Tinubu directed the Nigerian Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash and ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast throughout the country in honour of the victims.
In a statement issued by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and commiserated with the families of the deceased, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and personnel of the Nigerian Air Force.
The President also praised first responders and the Ondo State Government for their swift response to the incident, while assuring the Nigerian Air Force of continued government support.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said his ministry would provide full cooperation and assistance to the ongoing search and rescue operation.
Keyamo disclosed that air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft after it departed Benin for Lagos. He said efforts to establish communication with the aircraft proved unsuccessful before authorities confirmed that it had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau also confirmed that search and rescue operations had been activated. The bureau expressed condolences to the Nigerian Air Force and the families of those on board, while offering technical assistance if requested by the military.
The NSIB urged members of the public to rely only on official information from the Nigerian Air Force concerning the rescue operation and investigation.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority equally expressed sadness over the incident and said it was ready to provide technical support where required. The authority noted, however, that military aviation operations fall outside its direct regulatory and operational mandate.
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa directed state emergency and health agencies to provide full support to the rescue operation. He also ordered the crash site and surrounding areas to be secured to allow emergency personnel to work without obstruction.
Residents who reached the swampy crash site reportedly found aircraft wreckage, human remains and personal belongings scattered around the area. Access to the location was said to have been difficult because of the waterlogged terrain.
An eyewitness, Oluboyo Olusola, said some bodies were found in the water and expressed fears that there might be no survivors. The Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, also said information gathered at the scene indicated that there were likely no survivors.
The Peoples Democratic Party expressed condolences to the families of the victims and the Nigerian Air Force, calling for a thorough and transparent investigation into the cause of the crash.
Minister of Defence Christopher Musa also mourned the victims, describing them as brave personnel who died while serving the country. He said a comprehensive investigation had been ordered to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash and strengthen safety measures across military aviation units.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, also expressed sorrow over the tragedy, describing it as a painful loss to the Armed Forces and the nation.
The authorities have continued to appeal for calm and urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information as efforts to establish the full circumstances surrounding the crash continue.
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