Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has praised the pilot of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area, saying his final manoeuvre may have saved the coastal community from a larger disaster….
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has praised the pilot of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area, saying his final manoeuvre may have saved the coastal community from a larger disaster.
Aiyedatiwa spoke on Wednesday while inspecting the crash site alongside military personnel, emergency responders and local divers involved in the search and recovery operation.
According to the governor, eyewitness accounts indicated that the aircraft developed technical problems before crashing, while the pilot managed to steer the failing aircraft towards a swampy area about 200 metres from the town centre.
He said the pilot’s action helped prevent what could have resulted in significant casualties among residents.
Describing the crash as a national tragedy, Aiyedatiwa expressed sadness over the loss of the military personnel aboard the aircraft and said there were no signs of survivors.
“Unfortunately, there is no single survivor in that aircraft as we speak today,” the governor said.
He said search and recovery operations had continued since Monday, involving the Nigerian Navy, NAF, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ondo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), divers and local residents.
Clothing, aircraft fragments and human remains have reportedly been recovered from the crash site, while difficult terrain has hampered access to the main wreckage.
The Ondo State Government has deployed two swamp excavation machines, known as swamp buggies, to clear access routes and enable larger boats and recovery teams to move closer to the impact zone.
Aiyedatiwa commended the military and emergency responders for their efforts and expressed condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Air Force and the families of those who died.
He described the deceased as gallant officers who lost their lives in service to the nation.
The ATR-42 aircraft crashed on Monday while travelling from Benin to Lagos, with search and recovery operations still ongoing at the Igbokoda site.
