Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has assured Nigerians that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will thoroughly investigate the military aircraft crash that killed all 25 people on board in Ondo State.
Aneke’s assurance comes as recovery operations and preliminary investigations continue following the crash of NAF 931, an ATR-42 aircraft, in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area on October 5. The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos.
The Air Force has constituted a board of inquiry to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident. The investigation is expected to examine the aircraft’s condition, flight operations, weather conditions, crew procedures and other factors that could have contributed to the crash.
The development follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a thorough investigation into the incident. The President also declared three days of national mourning and ordered flags to be flown at half-mast in honour of the victims.
The investigation is important because determining the cause of the NAF aircraft crash could help authorities identify any operational or technical issues and strengthen aviation safety procedures within the military. The Defence Headquarters has also ordered an investigation and appealed to the public to avoid speculation while official processes continue.
Recovery efforts have been complicated by the swampy terrain around the crash site. Security personnel, including Nigerian Navy and marine police teams, have been involved in efforts to recover remains and locate parts of the aircraft.
The crash has caused widespread grief within the Nigerian military and among the victims’ families. NAF later confirmed that 20 passengers and five crew members were aboard the aircraft, correcting earlier reports that had put the number at 32.
The latest incident has renewed attention on aviation safety within Nigeria’s military, with the outcome of the investigation expected to provide clarity on what caused the fatal crash and whether additional safety measures are required.
