Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has commended the Federal Government, security agencies and residents of Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area, for their efforts in the search and recovery operation following the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in the state.
Aiyedatiwa made the commendation in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, on Tuesday, following a briefing by the Director of Search and Rescue, National Emergency Management Agency, Air Commodore Bature, at the Government House in Akure.
The governor said he immediately directed relevant state authorities to mobilise after learning of the incident while he was at an official engagement in Abuja.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, receiving a briefing from NEMA Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Bature, at the Government House in Akure on Tuesday. Photo Credit: Motunrayo Oyedele
He described the incident as “a national tragedy and a total loss to the country”, saying the young officers who died had paid the ultimate price in the service of Nigeria and in defence of its territorial integrity.
He said, “The young officers who died had paid the ultimate price in the service of Nigeria and in defence of its territorial integrity.”
Aiyedatiwa commiserated with the families of the victims and acknowledged President Bola Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for declaring three days of mourning for the fallen personnel.
NEMA Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Bature, briefing Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on the recovery operation at the Igbokoda crash site. Photo Credit: Motunrayo Oyedele
The governor said the recovery operation had continued despite the difficult terrain, noting that the crash location was a swampy area with narrow and shallow creeks.
He said local residents had been assisting the operation by using smaller boats to navigate the creeks and gain access to the location.
According to him, “The residents worked with the Navy and other responders in attempts to rescue victims and take them to hospital for treatment, but there was no survivor.”
Aiyedatiwa said he would proceed to Igbokoda to meet with residents and ensure that the recovery operation continued.
He thanked NEMA, the military, local government authorities and residents for their efforts and assured all agencies involved of the state government’s continued support.
On his part, Bature said three swamp buggies had been deployed to the crash site to strengthen the recovery operation.
He said the operation involved NEMA, the State Emergency Management Agency, the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Navy and local residents.
Bature explained that the swamp buggies were being deployed into the swamp to enable the team to access the crash location and recover the wreckage of the aircraft.
He said he was in Ondo State on the directive of the NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar, who was outside the country.
Bature said the Director-General directed him to meet Aiyedatiwa and appreciate him for his prompt response to the incident.
He also commended SEMA, the Navy, Army, Air Force, Police and local residents for their prompt response.
The NEMA director said NEMA was collaborating with the state government, individuals and local residents to coordinate resources for disaster management.
Bature expressed confidence that the wreckage and other parts of the aircraft trapped at the crash site would be recovered soon.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, crashed in Igbokoda on Monday while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The NAF later confirmed that all 25 people on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, died in the crash.