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The Nigerian military has commenced an underwater search for the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft that crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, deploying side-scan sonar technology to help locate the submerged aircraft.
The Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Department deployed the sonar equipment following a directive from the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas.
The technology is being used to survey the underwater area, map the crash site and establish the aircraft’s exact location. The information gathered is expected to guide divers and technical teams as they work towards recovering the aircraft and its contents.
The military turned to sonar because the swamp’s highly turbid water has severely limited visibility, making it difficult for divers to conduct an effective visual search underwater.
Nigerian Navy divers are also involved in the operation, while Nigerian Air Force drone pilots are searching nearby mangrove and forested areas for possible debris or other relevant evidence.
The sonar findings are expected to inform the next phase of the recovery exercise, including plans to deploy a swamp buggy to assist with excavation and movement through the challenging terrain.
The development followed an assessment of the crash site by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, and the Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdul Suleh.
The military delegation visited the site of the NAF ATR-42 aircraft, with tail number NAF 931, which crashed in the Igbokoda area.
Before proceeding to the crash location, the delegation was received at the Officers’ Mess of the Forward Operating Base, Igbokoda, by the Commanding Officer, Navy Captain Andy Alemongwa.
The visit also brought together government officials, community leaders, emergency management agencies and other stakeholders, who were at the base to offer condolences and support to the Armed Forces following the incident.
Those present included the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, the Commissioners for Health and Environment, representatives of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross Society and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), alongside personnel from other security agencies.
Rear Admiral Mustapha conveyed the appreciation of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Service Chiefs to the Ondo State Government, host communities, emergency agencies and other stakeholders for their assistance since the crash.
He appealed for continued calm and cooperation as the military and other agencies work to recover the aircraft.
The FOC also commended Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as well as Hi-Tech and AUC Construction companies, for providing mechanised equipment to support the recovery operation.
The delegation, accompanied by some stakeholders, subsequently travelled by boat to the crash site to assess the situation firsthand.
At the location, the team examined the terrain and considered the technical requirements for recovering the submerged aircraft and its contents.
The delegation also inspected the point designated for the launch of the swamp buggy. During the visit, Rear Admiral Mustapha met with the technical crew and urged them to step up their efforts towards the timely execution of the recovery operation.
The recovery effort is being undertaken jointly by the military, emergency management agencies, security organisations, technical personnel and other stakeholders.
