Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Wednesday visited the site of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash at Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area, as search and recovery operations continued.
The Governor described the incident as a national tragedy, noting that no survivor had been found and that the aircraft’s main wreckage was yet to be located, as it was believed to be deeply submerged in the swamp.
Aiyedatiwa directed the deployment of two amphibious swamp machines by the Ministry of Works to improve access to the difficult terrain and support the Navy, Air Force, NEMA, SEMA and local divers in the search for victims and the aircraft’s cockpit and main body.
He said the crash site presented a gory scene, with human remains, clothing and aircraft parts recovered. He also disclosed that aviation fuel was leaking into the surrounding water, causing pollution.
The Governor said eyewitness accounts indicated that the pilot appeared to have experienced an engine problem but manoeuvred the aircraft away from the community before it crashed about 200 metres away, potentially preventing a much larger catastrophe.
Aiyedatiwa commiserated with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian Air Force and the families of the deceased, describing the victims as young Nigerians who dedicated their lives to defending the country. He urged Nigerians to continue praying for the bereaved families.
The search operation, led by the Nigerian Navy with support from other emergency agencies and local divers, remains ongoing.
