The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commenced a comprehensive investigation into Monday’s tragic crash of its ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, as emergency responders battle challenging swampy terrain to retrieve the wreckage and the remains of the 25 victims.
Activated following an order from the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, the board of inquiry—traditionally chaired by the Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation—is working directly at the site as part of the evidence-gathering process.
Recovery operations at the crash site remain significantly hampered by dense vegetation, thick mud, and deep waters, with the main fuselage still largely submerged.
To navigate the difficult environment, a joint effort involving local authorities, private contractors, and the military is underway; private firms have supplied floating heavy equipment, the Nigerian Navy has deployed sonar devices for underwater scanning, and Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has sent two amphibious swamp machines to clear access paths.
Officials note that lifting the heavy airframe and completing body recoveries will take considerable time due to these persistent logistical hurdles.
Clarifying earlier confusion surrounding the casualty figure, NAF spokesman Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame confirmed that a total of 25 people were on board, all of whom perished in the accident.
Ejodame explained that standard aviation communication led to initial misinterpretations regarding the manifest, noting that the reported seven crew members—five active flight crew and two off-duty crew members traveling as passengers—were already included in the total count of 25 souls on board.
In the wake of the tragedy, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo and Air Marshal Aneke agreed to establish a joint committee between the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the NAF.
This historic civil-military partnership aims to deepen collaboration across safety protocols, airworthiness standards, aircraft certification, and joint capacity-building training programs.
Keyamo emphasized that because air disasters impact both military and civilian lives, a unified approach is essential to strengthening national aviation safety.
The tragedy has prompted broader calls for systemic reform across the nation’s defense sector, with former Department of State Services (DSS) director Mike Ejiofor urging a thorough review of military aviation operations, fleet maintenance schedules, and overall aircraft condition.
As the military board of inquiry carries out its investigation, the Air Force has assured the public that the preliminary findings and final outcome will be formally communicated in line with established safety procedures.
