The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, on Thursday joined the search and recovery team at Igbokoda, Ondo State, as efforts continued to recover evidence from the site of the Nigerian Air Force ATR 42 aircraft accident.
Aneke led senior Nigerian Air Force officials to the site to assess the ongoing recovery and investigative operations following the accident involving NAF 931.
This was contained in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.
Aneke assured the families of the deceased and the public that the NAF would conduct a thorough and professional investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
He said all relevant evidence would be carefully secured, documented, preserved and examined before any conclusion was reached on the cause of the accident.
“The Chief of the Air Staff led senior NAF officials to Igbokoda, Ondo State, to assess ongoing search, recovery and investigative efforts following the accident involving NAF ATR 42 aircraft, NAF 931. At the site, the CAS expressed profound condolences to the families of the personnel and passengers who lost their lives, paying tribute to their service, sacrifice and commitment to the nation
“Aneke reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to ensuring that the ongoing response is conducted with the highest standards of professionalism, coordination and diligence. All relevant evidence would be carefully secured, documented, preserved and examined, noting that the circumstances surrounding the accident would be subjected to a thorough and professional investigation in accordance with established procedures,” the statement partly read.
Aneke, however, cautioned against speculation on the cause of the accident.
“It would be premature to draw conclusions at this stage, as all relevant evidence and factors must be meticulously assessed before any determination can be made,” he said.
He also expressed condolences to the families of the personnel and passengers who lost their lives in the incident, paying tribute to their service, sacrifice and commitment to the nation.
Aneke commended the NAF personnel and other stakeholders involved in the recovery operation, including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force, National Emergency Management Agency, Ondo State Government, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun Corps, Hi-Tech Construction Company, local authorities, community leaders and volunteers.
He reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to professionalism, transparency and accountability throughout the recovery and investigation process.
The Head of the Investigation and Recovery Team, Air Vice Marshal EOE Ebiowe, said recovery efforts were progressing in coordination with relevant aviation, security and emergency-response agencies.
Ebiowe confirmed that the accident site remained secured, while recovered items and other relevant evidence were being properly documented and preserved to support the investigation.
He said no conclusion could be reached on the cause of the accident until the investigation was completed.
“Recovery efforts are progressing in close coordination with relevant aviation, security and emergency-response agencies. The accident site remains secured, while recovered items and other relevant evidence are being properly documented and preserved to support the ongoing investigation. No conclusion on the cause of the accident can be made until the investigation is concluded, ” Ebiowe said.
The aircraft, with registration number NAF 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed.
According to the NAF, the aircraft had 25 people on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, adding that no survivors were found.