For Professor Emily Akinloye, yesterday was supposed to be a day of celebration.

It was her birthday and her son, Flight Lieutenant M. Akinloye, had stopped by at her home in Benin City to wish her well before continuing his journey to Lagos.

Instead, the brief visit became the last time she would see her son alive.

Akinloye was among the personnel and passengers killed when a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft crashed in the riverine area of Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday.

According to a close family source, Akinloye was returning from a programme when he stopped over in Benin City.

He rushed to his mother’s house, wished her a happy birthday and told her they were on their way to Lagos.

Hours later, news of the crash broke.

The source said: “Everybody is devastated, including senior officers, because of the number of personnel involved in the disaster.

“His mother is in distress, obviously, and it is a bad day to celebrate her birthday. This is something that would be with her for life, so that whenever it is her birthday, she will remember the tragic death of her son.”

The tragedy also cut short the career of Flying Officer IM Adeshina, who was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force only nine days earlier.

Adeshina was commissioned on September 26 after emerging as the Best Graduating Cadet of Branch Commission Course (BC) 3.

His distinction at the training had marked the beginning of what was expected to be a long military career. Instead, barely nine days after receiving his commission, he died in the crash.

For the young officer, the uniform he had only just begun wearing became part of the final chapter of a career that had barely started.

The crash also claimed Flight Lieutenant I.S. Bako, identified as one of the co-pilots.

Bako got married only a few weeks ago.

NAF yesterday released the names of 25 personnel and passengers killed in the crash, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers.

The crew were Squadron Leader MI Aburime, Flight Captain; Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje, co-pilot; Flight Lieutenant IS Bako, co-pilot; Warrant Officer Abubakar A, aircraft technician; and Corporal Uguru HC, aircraft technician.

The passengers were Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus; Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye; Flying Officer IM Adeshina; Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F; Master Warrant Officer Matini BA; Warrant Officer Nuhu FS; Flight Sergeant James RB; Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI; Sergeant Ani AE; Sergeant Izibenikien SI; Sergeant Alafuka C; Sergeant Mbadugha AN; Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC; Lance Corporal Eledan GE; Mrs Ezeh Nneka; Godstmine Tarabina; Joy Micheal; Sunday Micheal; Ukeme David; and Gideon Omotola.

On Monday, the Air Force gave the number of those onboard as 32 comprising of 25 passengers and seven crew members. But, when the list was released yesterday, it contained 25 names made up of 20 passengers and five crew members.

NAF spokesman Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the aircraft had departed Benin City for Lagos on a routine mission before crashing in the Igbokoda area.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared three days of mourning hours after the crash and ordered full investigation. He condoled with the families and the Armed Forces.

National flags are flying at half-mast during the period.

The crash has thrown the nation into grieve.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the incident as a “deeply painful moment” for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation.

He assured the bereaved families of the Service’s full support and directed a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of the crash.

The NAF urged the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information while respecting the privacy and dignity of the families.

‘The aircraft had already caught fire’

As the nation mourned, an eyewitness, Prophet Igbekele Edema, said the aircraft appeared to have caught fire before plunging into the swamp.

Edema, whose church is only a few metres from the crash site, said he and others saw the aircraft while they were in a church programme.

“The NAF aircraft had already caught fire before it crashed. We all saw it from the church windows. We were in a programme then and everyone was afraid,” he said.

According to him, the captain appeared to be trying to bring the aircraft down within Igbokoda town after encountering difficulty, before it eventually crashed into the river.

“In fact, the captain appeared to be trying to bring it down inside the town and it would cause a bigger disaster in Igbokoda, but he eventually went into the river and crashed over there,” Edema said.

He said the heavy sound initially made some residents suspect that the aircraft had exploded or that a bomb was involved.

Difficult recovery operation

The search and recovery operation was complicated by the location of the wreckage in a swamp surrounded by creeks, mangroves and thick vegetation.

Ondo State Commissioner of Police CP Felix Ohagwu said there was no confirmed survivor as of yesterday.

“What happened on Monday was quite unfortunate. It’s a very difficult terrain; the creeks, mangroves, and assessing the site of the crash was not easy,” he said.

Amphibious excavators, popularly known as swamp buggies, were deployed to assist the operation.

Air Commodore Bature Usman, NEMA’s Director of Search and Rescue, said three swamp buggies had been deployed to gain access to the crash site and recover the wreckage.

The operation involved the Nigerian Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Police, Fire Service, NEMA, SEMA, NSCDC, Amotekun, FRSC and other emergency responders.

Ondo State Commissioner for Health Banji Ajaka said medical personnel and ambulances from Ilaje and Okitipupa had been deployed.

He said the crash site was about 500 metres east of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base in Igbokoda.

“This is a national disaster that we shouldn’t play politics with. Please let’s tarry and wait for verified information,” Ajaka said.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa described the crash as a “national tragedy” and said the young officers had paid the ultimate price in the service of Nigeria.

The governor commended President Tinubu for declaring three days of mourning and said local residents were helping rescuers navigate the difficult terrain.

Environment Commissioner Tob Loko described the incident as “pathetic”, expressing hope that the swamp buggies would improve access to the crash site.

Tributes pour in

Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, described the crash as a “painful loss to the Armed Forces and the nation”.

He said the courage and sacrifices of the fallen personnel “will never be forgotten”.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, whose condolence statement referred to 32 people aboard the aircraft, described the victims as fallen heroes.

“A nation may mourn its fallen heroes, but it must never forget the courage with which they gave their lives in service to the Republic,” he said.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Air Force, Kabiru Usman Alhassan, described the incident as a “tragic and devastating loss”, praying for the families of the victims.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, through its Chairman, Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the crash was a “deeply painful moment” for the country.

“Their service will not be forgotten,” AbdulRazaq said.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the scale and circumstances of the tragedy as “heartbreaking”.

“Lives of service, promise and innocence were extinguished in one devastating moment,” he said.

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki said his thoughts were with the victims’ loved ones and the Nigerian Air Force.

ACF spokesman Prof Tukur Muhammad-Baba described the deaths as a “national tragedy” and a painful blow to the families of the victims.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) joined the calls for a transparent investigation.

CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh said the families of military personnel also bear the weight of their sacrifices.

“At this difficult moment, our thoughts and prayers are particularly with the bereaved families and their colleagues in the Nigerian Air Force,” he said.

The United States Mission in Nigeria said it was sending its “deepest condolences” to the families, friends and colleagues of those killed, adding that it remained committed to Nigeria’s security partnership.

Türkiye also expressed its “deep sadness” over the crash and condoled with the victims’ families and the Nigerian people.

Senate postpones security summit

The Senate postponed its National Security Summit, scheduled for October 12 and 13, indefinitely in honour of the victims.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the decision followed President Tinubu’s declaration of three days of national mourning.

The Senate said a new date would be announced later. (The Nation)