Following the Ondo NAF crash on Monday, October 5, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a three day national mourning period of for 32 air force personnel onboard at the time of the crash .
In a statement released Monday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect for the deceased personnel.
Recall that the NAF crash happened near a naval base in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje LGA of Ondo state, while on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos.
Reports confirmed that the aircraft had 25 passengers and seven crew members onboard when it crashed.
“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation,” Tinubu said in a condolence message to Sunday Aneke, chief of air staff, and officers, airmen and airwomen of the air force.
“Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Following a briefing from the Chief of Air Staff, President Tinubu directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately initiate a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the crash.
The President emphasized that the probe must determine the factors leading to the accident to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Additionally, the administration confirmed that the names of the deceased officers will be formally published by the Air Force once their next of kin have been notified.
Human remains found
Meanwhile, search and recovery operations at the site of the NAF crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, have yielded aircraft wreckage, personal effects, and human remains.
Local resident Oluboyo Olusola, who visited the scene, reported that scattered aircraft parts, clothing, and victims’ bodies were dispersed across the swampy terrain and surrounding waters, leading locals to conclude there were no survivors.
He noted that initial rescue efforts by residents were severely hindered by the difficult waterlogged terrain until naval personnel arrived to assist in navigating the site.
“We heard a loud noise like thunder and rushed to the scene, only to discover that it was an aircraft crash. Initially, we thought it was a helicopter but later understood it was an aircraft,” Olusola said.
“It was difficult to access the terrain, but with the assistance of some naval officers, we were able to get there and saw the remains of the aircraft, as well as human remains, clothes, shoes and other personal effects.
“Some of the bodies were also inside the water. From what I saw, it appeared that there was no survivor.”
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