Ondo monarch mourns NAF crash victims, condoles FG, military

File: Large sections of the military aircraft that crashed in the Ondo River have been recovered as recovery efforts continue at the crash site

The Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan, has expressed condolences to the Federal Government and the families of military personnel who died in the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State.

The monarch also called for a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.

This was contained in a statement his spokesman, Dr Ademibo Akingboye, issued on Thursday.

The NAF ATR-42 aircraft crashed in a swampy area in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, with 25 people on board.

As of Thursday, the aircraft had yet to be removed from the crash site.

Reacting to the incident, Akinruntan urged the Federal Government and the military authorities to investigate the cause of the crash.

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The statement read, “I commiserate with the families of the military personnel who lost their lives in the aircraft crash at Igbokoda, Ondo State.

“I also extend my heartfelt condolences to the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, the Federal Government and the grieving families of the fallen heroes.

“I am also using this opportunity to call on the federal government and the Nigerian Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.”

The monarch prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased personnel and urged Nigerians to “rally around the bereaved families during this painful period.”

The PUNCH reports that Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, had said no survivor had been found following the crash.

Aiyedatiwa disclosed this during an interview with Channels Television on Monday, saying residents, security personnel and emergency responders had searched the crash site without finding any survivor.

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