No Survivor Found Yet as Ondo Governor Gives Update on NAF Plane Crash

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has disclosed that no survivor has so far been found following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.

The governor made the disclosure on Monday while speaking on Channels Television, hours after the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed in a swampy area opposite the Nigerian Navy base in Igbokoda.

According to Aiyedatiwa, he received information about the incident at about 10:30 a.m. from the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, who informed him that an aircraft had gone down in the area.

He explained that residents around the area reportedly heard a loud sound before witnessing the aircraft dive into the swamp.

The governor said personnel of the Nigerian Navy initially exercised caution before moving to the crash site to ascertain whether there was any fire or possibility of an explosion.

He added that local emergency officials, residents and personnel of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun, subsequently joined the search-and-rescue operation.

“From the information we got, no single life was saved up to this moment. They could not see any living soul that was in that aircraft,” Aiyedatiwa said.

The governor disclosed that rescuers found portions of the aircraft’s wreckage, including parts of its wings, identification cards and uniforms, confirming that the aircraft was a military plane.

He, however, noted that the main body of the aircraft had gone deep into the swamp, making access to the wreckage difficult.

Aiyedatiwa described the incident as a painful and tragic development, particularly as it occurred in his home state and local government.

The Nigerian Air Force had earlier confirmed that the ATR-42 aircraft, with registration number NGR 931, was on a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos when it crashed in Igbokoda.

Preliminary information indicated that 32 people, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members, were on board the aircraft. Search-and-rescue operations remain ongoing.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered a thorough investigation into the crash, while authorities continue efforts to recover the wreckage and establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.