Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has assured agencies involved in the recovery operation at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) crash site in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area, of the state government’s full support.
He gave the assurance on Tuesday when the Director of Search and Rescue at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Air Commodore Bature, briefed him at the Government House in Akure.
Aiyedatiwa said he directed the relevant state authorities to mobilise immediately after learning of the incident while on an official engagement in Abuja.
He described the crash as a national tragedy and a great loss to the country, noting that the young officers who died had paid the ultimate price in service to Nigeria and in defence of its territorial integrity.
The governor commiserated with the families of the victims and acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of three days of mourning for the fallen personnel.
According to him, the recovery effort has continued despite the difficult terrain, as the crash site lies in a swampy area with narrow, shallow creeks.
He said residents have supported the operation by ferrying responders through the creeks in smaller boats. They worked with the Navy and other responders to rescue the victims and take them to hospital, but there were no survivors.
Aiyedatiwa added that he would travel to Igbokoda to meet residents and ensure the operation continues.
He thanked NEMA, the military, local government authorities and residents for their efforts, and assured all agencies of the state government’s continued backing.
Swamp buggies deployed
Earlier, Bature said NEMA had deployed three swamp buggies to the site to strengthen the operation. The vehicles are being driven into the swamp to give the recovery team access to the crash location so the wreckage can be retrieved.
He said the operation involves NEMA, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Nigerian Air Force, the Navy and local residents.
Bature said he was in Ondo on the directive of NEMA Director-General, Hajia Zubaida Umar, who is currently out of the country. He said she asked him to meet the governor and thank him for his prompt response to the incident.
He also commended SEMA, the Navy, Army, Air Force, Police and local residents for their swift response.
The NEMA director said the agency was working with the state government and residents to coordinate resources for effective disaster management, and expressed confidence that the aircraft wreckage and other parts trapped at the site would be recovered soon.
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