NAF to hold memorial for victims of October 5 aircraft crash

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced plans to hold a memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony for victims of its NAF 931 aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on 26 November,

The ceremony, scheduled to take place at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja, will honour those who lost their lives in the 5 October accident, as the air force continues investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

In a statement on Sunday, the NAF spokesperson, Ehimen Ejodame, said the ceremony would bring together bereaved families, colleagues, friends and members of the military community to pay their last respects to the deceased and recognise their service and sacrifice.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that NAF announced it had recovered the aircraft’s Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), alongside other wreckage and relevant evidence from the crash site.

Mr Ejodame reiterated these recoveries, saying data retrieved from the recorder was being analysed and would contribute significantly to the ongoing investigation.

He added that recovery operations had yielded several human remains and aircraft fragments, while the identification of the recovered remains was still ongoing.

The air force spokesperson attributed the difficulties encountered during the exercise to the swampy nature of the terrain and the depth to which some of the wreckage had penetrated the ground.

He said the investigation was progressing in collaboration with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Mr Ejodame noted that NAF was engaging relevant agencies to address environmental concerns arising from the recovery exercise and ensure appropriate remediation after the operation.

This newspaper reported that the traditional ruler of Igbokoda raised an alarm over water and air pollution following the crash, warning that the community faces a public health and economic crisis.

Background

The accident occurred when the ATR-42 aircraft, designated NAF 931, crashed in a swampy area near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, while travelling from Benin City to Lagos on a routine mission.

Air traffic controllers reportedly lost contact with the aircraft at about 9:13 am, after which the wreckage was located near the Naval Base. All 25 people aboard, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, died in the accident, according to the air force.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the casualty figure was initially disputed after Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo announced that 32 people, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members, were aboard.

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However, the NAF subsequently clarified that 25 people were on the aircraft, explaining that the discrepancy resulted from differences in the interpretation of aviation terminology.

It said the final figure comprised five active crew members and 20 passengers, including two military officials classified as non-active crew members but travelling as passengers.

Following the crash, the Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Aneke, ordered a comprehensive investigation and search-and-rescue operations. The NAF confirmed that no survivors were found and subsequently released the names of all 25 victims. Mr Aneke, an air marshal, also expressed condolences to their families and assured them of the Service’s support.

On 13 October, the air force announced the constitution of a 12-member specialist aircraft accident investigation board to establish the circumstances and causes of the crash and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.