Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has directed the immediate mobilization of state emergency and security agencies to support ongoing search and rescue operations. This is coming following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state. The aircraft, an ATR-42 with tail number NGR 931, crashed in a swampy area opposite the Naval Base in Igbokoda on Monday morning while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, said he received the news of the crash with deep sadness and expressed sympathy to the Chief of Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force family and families of those on board. According to the statement, the Nigerian Air Force Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed the identity of the aircraft and details of its mission.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, also confirmed that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board the ill-fated aircraft. Aiyedatiwa said he had been in contact with the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Maurice Oripelaye, and security agencies deployed to the area. He directed the State Emergency Management Agency, the Ministry of Health and relevant security agencies to immediately mobilise personnel and provide logistical support to the Nigerian Air Force and other emergency response agencies involved in the rescue operation.
The governor also ordered that the crash site be cordoned off and secured to ensure that rescue personnel could carry out their duties without hindrance. He appealed to residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm, cooperate with emergency responders and avoid circulating unverified information as authorities continue efforts at the crash site. The state government said it would continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available from the Nigerian Air Force, while the governor prayed for the safety of the personnel involved and the success of the rescue operation.
