The Nigerian Air Force has pledged to provide necessary support to the families of the 25 people who died in an aircraft crash in Ondo State.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, made the commitment on Thursday when he visited the crash site in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.
The Nigerian Air Force aircraft, with registration number NGR 931, crashed into a swampy area near the Naval Forward Operating Base on Monday while travelling from Benin City to Lagos.
All 25 people on board died in the accident.
Aneke assured the victims’ families that the Nigerian Air Force would continue to support them following the loss of their loved ones.
“The Nigerian Air Force is putting everything possible to ensure that the families get the necessary support they need,” he said.
The Air Chief said he personally knew the people aboard the aircraft, adding that he had flown in the same plane with his family and knew the crew members.
“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 said.
He described the deceased personnel as trained and professional officers who dedicated their service to the country.
According to him, determining the cause of the aircraft crash and learning from the incident would provide the most appropriate way to honour the victims.
Aneke disclosed that he had directed the Superintendent of Safety and Evaluation to establish an investigation team comprising military and civilian aviation safety experts.
The team will include representatives of the National Transportation Safety Board, accident and emergency management authorities, retired senior military officers and experienced Air Force personnel.
The Air Chief urged Nigerians to refrain from speculating about the cause of the crash until investigators complete their work.
“This is not the time to start speculating, and I plead with you, general public. We’ve lost people who are fighting for the nation,” he said.
“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.”
Meanwhile, recovery operations have continued at the crash site, with the swampy terrain hampering efforts to retrieve the main wreckage and the remains of the victims.
Authorities had yet to recover the aircraft’s flight recorder, commonly known as the black box, as of Thursday.
The Ondo State Government deployed amphibious excavators and technical personnel to support the recovery operation.
Aneke commended the Ondo State Government and residents of Igbokoda for their assistance during the emergency response.
He said local residents were among the first people to respond after the aircraft crashed.
“The locals here, the residents here, were the first responders,” he said.
The investigation is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the NAF aircraft crash and provide recommendations to prevent a recurrence.
