The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has ordered a high-level investigation into the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash at Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, assuring the families of the victims that the military would provide them with the necessary support.

Aneke, who visited the crash site on Thursday, said his visit was primarily to assess the welfare of personnel involved in the recovery operation and ensure accountability in the aftermath of the tragedy.

The NAF ATR-42 aircraft, which was carrying 32 people, including 25 passengers and seven crew members, crashed into a swampy area of Igbokoda on Monday while on a flight from Benin to Lagos.

The Air Chief expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the personnel, saying he personally knew those on board and had flown in the aircraft involved in the incident.

He said the crew were highly trained and professional officers who had made significant sacrifices in the service of the country.

Aneke said, “On behalf of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces, I want to express our deep sorrow and condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this tragic incident.

“I basically knew everyone on that flight. I’ve flown on this aeroplane. My family has flown on this aeroplane. I know each of the crew personally. They were highly trained, professional and intelligent officers.

“The best we can do is to honour the sacrifice they have put in serving the nation.”

The Chief of the Air Staff disclosed that he had directed the NAF Superintendent of Safety and Evaluation to constitute a high-level team comprising military and civilian safety experts to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

According to him, the team would include representatives of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), accident and emergency management authorities, retired senior military officers and experienced Air Force personnel.

He urged members of the public to refrain from speculating about the cause of the crash, stressing that only a thorough investigation by specialists could establish what happened.

“This is not the time to start speculating, and I plead with the general public. We’ve lost people who are fighting for the nation.

“The best we can do for them is to be a little bit patient and let those who are specialists get to the bottom of what has happened,” he said.

Aneke also stressed the importance of safety within the aviation environment, saying the Air Force would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all necessary safety measures were maintained.

“If you know the aviation environment, you understand that the more activities you have, the more likelihood you have of incidents like this.

“We in the Air Force leave no stone unturned. When it comes to safety, everything is ensured,” he said.

He described the incident as a major loss to the Nigerian Armed Forces, saying no words could adequately console families who had lost their loved ones.

“It’s a very big loss, and no amount of words we put can bring so-called understanding to those who have lost. I myself have served, so I understand how it feels,” the Air Chief said.

He assured the bereaved families that the Nigerian Air Force would continue to provide the necessary support to help them through the difficult period.

“The Nigerian Air Force is putting everything possible to ensure that the families get the necessary support they need,” he said.

On the ongoing search and recovery operation, Aneke commended the Ondo State Government, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and residents of Igbokoda for their support to the military and emergency responders.

He said the local residents were among the first responders at the scene of the crash, describing their intervention as significant to the ongoing recovery efforts.

“I have inspected the crash site and I want to use this opportunity to thank, first, the good people of Ondo State and our governor. They have committed resources, time and energy.

“The locals here, the residents here, were the first responders. I’ve been briefed by the commander of the Naval base here,” he said.

Aneke also praised the cooperation between the military, government agencies and local residents in the recovery operation, saying the response demonstrated the ability of Nigerians to come together in times of crisis.

“Words cannot describe how we Nigerians come together when things go south,” he said. (Nigerian Tribune)