By Tolulope Eniola
Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has expressed sadness over the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, in the early hours of Monday.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, the governor received the news of the crash with deep sadness and expressed heartfelt sympathy to the Chief of Air Staff, the entire Nigerian Air Force family and the families of all personnel and passengers on board the ill-fated aircraft.
The statement said preliminary reports confirmed by the Nigerian Air Force Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, indicated that the aircraft, an ATR-42 with tail number NGR 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed in a swampy area opposite the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, confirmed that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board the aircraft.
Governor Aiyedatiwa said his thoughts and prayers were with the Chief of Air Staff, the entire Nigerian Air Force family and the families of the personnel and passengers at the difficult time.
The governor has been in contact with the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Hon. Maurice Oripelaye, and security agencies on the ground.
To support the ongoing efforts, Aiyedatiwa directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ministry of Health and relevant security agencies to immediately mobilise and provide full logistical and human support to the Nigerian Air Force and other emergency response agencies involved in the search and rescue operations at the crash site.
He also directed that the area be cordoned off and secured to allow smooth and unhindered rescue operations.
The governor urged residents of Igbokoda and adjoining communities to remain calm, cooperate with emergency responders and refrain from spreading unverified information.
The Ondo State Government, he said, would continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available from the Nigerian Air Force.
“We pray for the safety of our gallant officers and for the success of the rescue efforts.”
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