By Isiaka Mustapha, Editor-in-Chief, People’s Security Monitor<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Nigerian Air Force has commenced a comprehensive investigation into Monday\u2019s military aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, as recovery teams intensify efforts to retrieve the wreckage and remains of those on board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A military source said a Board of Inquiry had been activated in line with established aviation safety procedures, with the Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation traditionally heading the investigation. The source explained that investigators were working alongside recovery teams because evidence recovered from the crash site would form an important part of the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recovery operations have, however, been hampered by the difficult swampy terrain where the aircraft remains submerged. A private construction company has deployed specialised floating equipment to clear dense vegetation and create access for recovery teams. The Nigerian Navy has also deployed sonar equipment from its Hydrographic Department to scan the mapped area and help locate the submerged fuselage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, had ordered a comprehensive investigation into the crash. He said the service would follow its established aircraft accident investigation procedures and that the findings would be communicated after the preliminary investigation. Ejodame also clarified the controversy over the number of people on board, explaining that there were 25 souls on board, comprising seven crew members, although only five were active crew during the flight, with the other two travelling as passengers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who visited the crash site on Wednesday, described the scene as a national tragedy and ordered the continuation of search and recovery operations. He said no survivor had been found as of the time of his visit, while body parts, clothing, personal belongings and fragments of the aircraft had been recovered. The main fuselage, he said, remained submerged in the swamp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The governor directed the deployment of two amphibious machines, popularly known as swamp buggies, to open wider access to the difficult terrain. The equipment has enabled rescue teams to move larger boats closer to the crash site while excavation continues in the search for the main wreckage and other parts of the aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Nigerian Navy has also stepped up its involvement in the recovery operation. The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, directed the deployment of specialised sonar equipment, while the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, visited the scene and urged the technical and recovery teams to intensify efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crash has also triggered renewed calls for closer cooperation between Nigeria\u2019s civil and military aviation authorities. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the Chief of the Air Staff agreed on Wednesday to deepen collaboration between the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Air Force in areas including airworthiness, certification, training and aviation safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keyamo said the two institutions would establish a joint framework for capacity building and technical cooperation, stressing that both civil and military aviation authorities had a shared responsibility to protect Nigerian lives. Aneke welcomed the initiative, saying stronger collaboration would help raise professional standards across the aviation sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, former Director of the Department of State Services, Mike Ejiofor, has called for a broader examination of military aviation operations following the crash. He said the investigation should go beyond determining the immediate cause of the Igbokoda incident to examine aircraft maintenance, operational practices, record keeping and the frequency of military aviation accidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ejiofor also stressed the importance of recovering the aircraft\u2019s black boxes, describing them as critical to establishing what happened before the crash. He cautioned against speculation over reports of an explosion or other possible causes until investigators complete their work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed profound grief over the incident and declared three days of national mourning for the victims. He also ordered a full investigation into the crash, while families, political leaders, traditional rulers and communities across the country continue to mourn those who lost their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among those remembered is Abia born Squadron Leader Ahamefule Aham Man Ugwueje, whose death has drawn condolences from Governor Alex Otti, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator Enyi Abaribe, Senator Austin Akobundu and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The recovery operation remains ongoing in Igbokoda, with the military, emergency agencies, security organisations, local divers and community volunteers continuing efforts to locate and recover the submerged aircraft and the remains of the victims.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Isiaka Mustapha, Editor-in-Chief, People’s Security Monitor The Nigerian Air Force has commenced a comprehensive investigation into Monday\u2019s military aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, as recovery teams intensify efforts…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":30488,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30486","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pages"],"yoast_head":"\n