By Seun Ibiyemi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sadness over the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, ordering an immediate and thorough investigation into the cause of the accident.
The aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was reportedly on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it on Monday morning.
Preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard the aircraft.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu extended his condolences to the families of those involved in the crash, as well as the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and personnel of the Nigerian Air Force.
“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation. Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” the President said.
The President disclosed that the Chief of the Air Staff had briefed him on the incident.
Tinubu subsequently directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The directive comes as emergency responders and security agencies continue search and rescue operations at the crash site.
Earlier, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, confirmed the crash and disclosed that the aircraft went missing after air traffic controllers lost contact with it.
According to Keyamo, the aircraft was travelling from Benin to Lagos when radio communication was lost.
He said the aircraft was reported missing at about 9:13 a.m., following which efforts were made to establish contact and track its location.
“All efforts to track the aircraft on radio proved abortive after contact was lost,” the minister said.
Keyamo added that subsequent information confirmed that the aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
“The wreckage has been located, and search and rescue operations are ongoing,” he said.
The Aviation Minister also clarified that the control and regulation of military aircraft do not fall under the authority of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development or the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
READ ALSO :NIMASA automates ship registry, targets faster, more competitive Nigerian flag
He stressed that the Nigerian Air Force operates its aircraft outside the regulatory jurisdiction of the civilian aviation authorities.
Keyamo, however, said he had spoken with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, following the incident.
He assured the Nigerian Air Force of the ministry’s full cooperation and assistance in the ongoing search and rescue efforts.
Meanwhile, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has directed the state’s emergency and security agencies to provide full logistical and human support for the rescue operation.
The governor also ordered the crash site to be immediately cordoned off and secured to allow emergency responders to carry out their duties without interference.
A statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said Aiyedatiwa received the news with deep sadness.
The governor expressed sympathy to the Chief of the Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force and the families of the passengers and military personnel aboard the aircraft.
The crash has thrown the Nigerian military and aviation communities into mourning, with attention now focused on the ongoing rescue efforts and the investigation expected to determine what caused the aircraft to go down.
