By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigerian Senate has resolved to investigate budgetary allocations for the maintenance of Nigerian Air Force aircraft following the October 5 crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, which claimed 25 lives.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Air Force, Senator Osita Ngwu, who raised concerns over recurring military aircraft accidents and the need to strengthen aviation safety.
Presenting the motion at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday, Ngwu recalled that the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, while on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos.
The Senate expressed concern over the recurring loss of military personnel in aircraft crashes, raising questions about maintenance practices, the condition of ageing aircraft fleets and compliance with operational safety standards.
Lawmakers stressed that the serviceability and airworthiness of military aircraft were critical to national security, intelligence gathering and defence operations.
They warned that failure to conduct a transparent and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Igbokoda crash could undermine efforts to prevent similar tragedies.
As part of its resolutions, the Senate urged the Federal Government to prioritise funding for the regular maintenance and replacement of ageing military aircraft to improve operational safety and protect the lives of service personnel.
The lawmakers also mandated the Senate Committees on Air Force and Aviation to visit the crash site and engage with Nigerian Air Force authorities as part of efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The committees are expected to conduct a comprehensive audit of the serviceability and airworthiness of aircraft in the presidential and military fleets.
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The proposed audit is aimed at examining the condition of the aircraft, identifying potential safety concerns and determining whether existing maintenance arrangements adequately support military aviation operations.
The Senate further called on the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to investigate both the immediate and underlying causes of the crash.
It urged the agencies to make their findings public, stressing the importance of transparency and accountability in addressing military aviation accidents.
The investigation is expected to help establish the factors that led to the crash and identify measures needed to prevent a recurrence.
The Senate’s intervention places aircraft maintenance funding, fleet replacement and aviation safety standards under legislative scrutiny as the country seeks to strengthen the operational readiness of its military aircraft.
