The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has disclosed that he and members of his family had once flown in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

He made the disclosure on Thursday while speaking with journalists in Igbokoda shortly after visiting the scene of the ill-fated aircraft crash.

The NAF aircraft, reportedly on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos, crashed in a swampy area around Igbokoda after losing contact with aviation authorities.

Aneke, accompanied by senior NAF officers and other security agencies involved in efforts to recover the aircraft and its occupants, expressed sorrow over the deaths of the personnel involved in the crash.

He described the deceased crew members as professionals who made the ultimate sacrifice in the course of duty, assuring that they would all be honoured for their service and sacrifice.

The Chief of Air Staff explained that the tragedy was painful, revealing that he was very familiar with the aircraft and knew many of the personnel involved in the ill-fated plane crash.

“I basically knew everyone on that flight. I have flown on this aeroplane. My family has flown on this aeroplane. I know each crew member personally.

“They are highly trained, professional, and intelligent officers. The best we can do is to honour the sacrifice they have made on board this aeroplane.

“I want to assure the families of our loved ones that the Nigerian Armed Forces will keep you on guard in ensuring that you are safe,” the Chief of Air Staff said.

However, Aneke said investigators would also examine the circumstances surrounding the crash, noting that determining what went wrong was important to prevent a recurrence.

The Chief of Air Staff also commended the personnel involved in the rescue and recovery efforts, saying the military would ensure that the remains of the victims were handled with dignity.

“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,” he said.

Aneke advised the public to avoid speculation over the cause of the crash, saying a high-level team of military and civilian aviation experts had been constituted to investigate the incident.

He said the team would include safety experts, representatives of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, the Accident Investigation Bureau and Emergency Management agencies, retired senior military officers and experienced NAF personnel.

“I have instructed my Superintendent of Safety and Evaluation to form a high-level delegation comprising military and civilian safety experts, the NTSB, the Accident and Emergency Management Board, retired senior officers, and experienced Air Force officers, to sit down and get to the bottom of 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 patient and let the specialists get to the bottom of what has happened.”

The Air Chief said aviation operations inherently carry risks, particularly as the frequency of operations increases, but stressed that the NAF would leave no stone unturned in determining what caused the accident.

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

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

Aneke’s visit came as emergency responders and security agencies continued recovery operations at the difficult-to-access crash site.

The NAF aircraft, reportedly on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos, crashed in a swampy area around Igbokoda after losing contact with aviation authorities.

The aircraft was submerged, prompting an intensive search and recovery operation involving the military and other emergency agencies.

A total of 25 personnel and passengers were killed in the crash, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers. (The Nation)