The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has constituted a high-level panel to investigate the crash of its ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo state.
Sunday Aneke, chief of air staff (CAS), spoke on Thursday when he visited the crash site in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje LGA, where recovery operations were ongoing.
Aneke said the panel would comprise military and civilian aviation safety experts, including representatives of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), accident and emergency management authorities, retired senior military officers and experienced NAF personnel.
On Monday, a NAF ATR-42 aircraft with registration number NAF 931, conveying 25 passengers and seven crew members crashed while on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos.
Aneke said the investigation would establish the circumstances surrounding the accident, urging the public to avoid speculation until the inquiry is concluded.
“I had informed my superintendent of safety and evaluation to come up with a high-level delegation comprising both military and civilian safety experts, NSIB, accident and emergency management board, retired senior officers and experienced Air Force officers, to sit down and get to the bottom of what happened,” he said.
“This is not the time to start speculating, and I plead with you, the general public. We’ve lost people who are fighting for the nation.
“The best we can do for them is to be a little bit patient and let those who are the specialists get to the bottom of what has happened.”
The CAS said the Air Force would “leave no stone unturned” in determining the cause of the crash, adding that safety remained a priority in the service.
Aneke described the victims as highly trained and professional officers, adding that he personally knew everyone on board the aircraft.
“We in the Air Force, we leave no stone unturned. When it comes to safety, everything is ensured,” he said.
“I basically knew everyone on that flight. I’ve flown on this aeroplane. My family has flown on this aeroplane. I know each of the crew personally.”
Aneke described the crash as a “very big loss” to the military and the families of the victims.
He noted that the crash site, located in a swampy area near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, has posed challenges to recovery teams because of thick mangroves, murky waters and deep mud.
“The best we can do is to honour the sacrifice they have put on those on board this aeroplane,” he said.
He also commended the Ondo state government and residents of Igbokoda for supporting the recovery operation.
Aneke said the local residents were among the first responders after the aircraft went down.
The CAS said the response by the community demonstrated the importance of cooperation between government agencies, security forces and residents during emergencies.
“The locals here, the residents here, were the first responders. I’ve been briefed by the commander of the Naval here,” he said.
Aneke added that the Air Force was providing support to the families of the deceased.
“The Nigerian Air Force is putting everything possible to ensure that the families get the necessary support they need,” he said.
Recovery teams are still searching the swamp for the main wreckage and remains of the victims, while efforts are also being made to retrieve components of the aircraft that could aid the investigation.
