. President declares three-day mourning, flags to fly at half-mast
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, says no survivor has been found following Monday’s crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, just as President Bola Tinubu declared a three-day national mourning for those killed in the crash.
Aiyedatiwa made this disclosure while appearing on Channels Television on Monday.
According to him, local residents, security personnel and emergency responders had searched the crash site but found no one alive.
The Governor said the information about the crashed military aircraft got to him at about 10.30am when the chairman of the local government contacted him.
He said residents across the river from the Nigerian Navy base in Igbokoda heard a loud sound and later saw the aircraft dive into a swampy area.
Aiyedatiwa said personnel of the Nigerian Navy initially held back to ascertain whether there was any fire or explosion before moving towards the crash site.
“When they noticed that it’s just an accident, they didn’t see any sign of fire. So they moved in, trying to see if they could rescue the people,” he said.
The Governor further stated that officials of the local emergency management agency, local residents and personnel of the Amotekun Corps also joined the search for possible survivors.
“But from the information we got, no single life was saved up to this moment. They could not see any living soul that was in that aircraft,” he said.
He added that the emergency responders found parts of the aircraft, including pieces of the wings, identification cards and uniforms, which confirmed that the crashed aircraft was a military plane.
“But they saw the ruins, some of the wreckage from the wings of the aircraft, you know, some ID cards, I was told, and then uniform. That was when they knew it was a military aircraft,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa described the incident as a painful development, particularly because it occurred in his home state and local government.
“So it’s a sad situation today. And we’re all really, really agreed as a Nigerian. And also it happens in my own state, not just my state, even in my own local government where I’m from,” he said.
He expressed sympathy for the military personnel involved, describing them as officers assigned to protect the territorial integrity of the country.
“It happens to Nigerian military officers who are assigned to protect the territorial integrity of our country and, you know, involving such, you know, accidents. So, so painful. So painful, but so sad,” he added.
The Nigerian Air Force confirmed that an ATR-42 aircraft with tail number NGR 931 crashed in Igbokoda while on a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board the aircraft.
According to the AirForce, search and rescue efforts have continued following the crash.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has declared a three-day mourning for AirForce personnel killed in the crash.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
He also directed that flags be flown at half-mast throughout the country as a mark of respect for the officers.
The President had earlier expressed profound sadness over the crash of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 jet.
The accident occurred near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State. The aircraft, carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed.
“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,” President Tinubu declared in a condolence message to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and all officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force.
“The Chief of Air Staff has briefed me, and I have directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences.
“I commend the Nigerian Air Force for activating an immediate search and rescue operation following the accident.”
