Ondo air crash: Reps Air Force committee chairman urges calm

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Air Force, Kabiru Alhassan.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Air Force, Kabiru Alhassan, has expressed concern over the reported crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Ondo State, urging Nigerians to remain calm as rescue efforts continue.

Alhassan, in a message of solidarity issued on Tuesday, said he was deeply saddened by the incident involving the aircraft, which was reportedly carrying 32 passengers and crew.

He said the status of those on board had yet to be confirmed as emergency responders and security agencies continued rescue operations at the crash site.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the passengers, crew members, their families and loved ones at this difficult moment,” he said.

The lawmaker commended the Nigerian Air Force, security agencies, emergency responders and other personnel involved in the operation for their prompt response.

He expressed hope that those on board would be found safe, urging Nigerians to remain calm and prayerful while the rescue operation continues.

“I earnestly pray and remain hopeful that those on board will be found safe,” Alhassan said.

He also appealed to members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information, saying authorities were still working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and account for everyone on board.

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The incident comes amid growing concern over aviation safety following previous aircraft emergencies involving both military and civilian operations in the country.

The Nigerian Air Force is expected to provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the crash and the outcome of the rescue operation as information becomes available.

The House committee chairman reiterated his solidarity with the passengers, crew members and their families, while urging personnel involved in the rescue effort to sustain their operations.

PUNCH Online reports that a military aircraft that crashed on Monday had disappeared from radar shortly after take-off, according to a senior Air Traffic Controller familiar with the aircraft’s final journey. https://punchng.com/ondo-air-crash-naf-plane-vanished-from-radar-shortly-after-take-off/

The aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was travelling from Benin City, the Edo State capital, to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13 am, before it crashed into a swamp in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area in Ondo State.