Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Wednesday visited the site of the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash at Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area and directed the continuation of search and recovery operations.
In a post obtained from the state’s X handle on Wednesday, the governor described the incident as a national tragedy, saying no survivor had been found while the aircraft’s main wreckage was yet to be located.
Aiyedatiwa said the main body of the aircraft was believed to be deeply submerged in the swamp, making the recovery operation challenging.
He directed the state Ministry of Works to deploy two amphibious swamp machines to improve access to the difficult terrain and support the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, National Emergency Management Agency, State Emergency Management Agency and local divers involved in the operation.
Speaking at the crash site, the governor said, “No survivor has been found, and the main wreckage of the aircraft is yet to be located. We believe it is deeply submerged in the swamp.”
He said human remains, clothing, and parts of the aircraft had been recovered from the crash site.
According to Aiyedatiwa, aviation fuel was also leaking into the surrounding water, creating an environmental pollution concern.
The governor said eyewitness accounts suggested that the pilot may have encountered an engine problem before the aircraft crashed.
He said the pilot appeared to have manoeuvred the aircraft away from the community before it eventually came down about 200 metres away.
“From the information we gathered from eyewitnesses, it appears the pilot experienced an engine problem but was able to manoeuvre the aircraft away from the community before it crashed,” Aiyedatiwa said.
The governor said the action may have prevented a more serious incident in the community.
He commiserated with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian Air Force and the families of the victims, describing those who died as young Nigerians who had dedicated their lives to serving and defending the country.
“Our hearts go out to the families of the deceased and the Nigerian Air Force. These were young Nigerians who dedicated their lives to defending our country,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa urged Nigerians to continue praying for the bereaved families as the recovery operation continues.
The search, led by the Nigerian Navy with support from the Air Force, emergency agencies and local divers, is continuing as authorities work to locate the aircraft’s cockpit and main body and recover the remaining victims.
