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• Air Chief pledges support for bereaved families
• 2 pilots safe after helicopter’s precautionary landing in Benue
From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure, and Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has ordered a high-level investigation involving military and civilian aviation safety experts into Monday’s fatal crash of its ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, pledging to establish the cause and support the victims’ families.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, announced the investigation during a visit to the crash site on Thursday, as the service confirmed a separate incident in which two pilots were safe after their helicopter made a precautionary landing on farmland in Makurdi, Benue State.
Aneke said the crash investigation team would include representatives of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), accident and emergency management authorities, retired senior military officers and experienced NAF personnel.
The aircraft, with registration number NAF 931, crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, while on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos.
Aneke said he had directed his superintendent of safety and evaluation to assemble experts to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash, urging the public to allow investigators to complete their work.
“This is not the time to start speculating, and I plead with you, the general public. We’ve lost people who are fighting for the nation.
“The best we can do for them is to be a little bit patient and let those who are the specialists get to the bottom of what has happened,” he said.
Describing the crash as a major loss to the military and the bereaved families, the Air Chief spoke of his personal ties to those on board.
“I basically knew everyone on that flight. I’ve flown on this aeroplane. My family has flown on this aeroplane. I know each of the crew personally. Highly trained, professional, and intelligent officers,” he said.
Aneke, who expressed condolences on behalf of President Bola Tinubu and members of the Armed Forces, pledged that the service would leave no stone unturned in determining the cause of the accident.
He also assured the bereaved families of support.
“The Nigerian Air Force is putting everything possible to ensure that the families get the necessary support they need,” he said.
Recovery teams were continuing their search for the main wreckage and the victims’ remains in difficult conditions, with thick mangroves, murky water and deep mud hampering access to the swampy crash site.
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Aneke said evidence recovered from the scene would be secured, documented, preserved and subjected to detailed examination.
Head of the Investigation and Recovery Team, Air Vice Marshal E. O. E. Ebiowe, said operations were progressing in coordination with aviation, security and emergency-response agencies. He confirmed that the site remained secured and recovered items were being properly documented and preserved.
The Air Chief commended the Ondo State Government, security and emergency agencies, Hi-Tech Construction Company, community leaders and volunteers for their assistance, particularly residents who first reached the scene.
“The locals here, the residents here, were the first responders.
“Words cannot describe how we Nigerians come together when things like this happen,” he said.
Meanwhile, the NAF said the helicopter involved in Wednesday’s precautionary landing in Makurdi had returned to base after completing an operation against suspected kidnappers near the Enugu–Benue boundary.
Residents placed the landing between noon and 1pm on farmland behind Father Angus Frazer College, near Welfare Quarters Extension. Another witness identified the location as Utur Tse-Igboji, Bar Council Ward.
A resident, Desmond Terfa, said the pilots told villagers that the helicopter had developed a problem with its primary and secondary engine fuel feed while returning from the mission.
According to him, the pilots said they could not safely reach the Air Force Base and diverted to the farmland.
“The farmers were around, but nobody was affected. Only the crops were damaged,” Terfa said, adding that both pilots were safely evacuated.
In its account, the NAF said the helicopter had provided close air support to ground troops, disrupted the activities of suspected kidnappers and supported the troops’ advance.
Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the pilot exercised professional discretion in making the landing.
“Following the successful completion of the mission, the pilot, on return to base, exercised his professional discretion to execute a precautionary landing approximately 10 nautical miles from the airfield.
“This is in accordance with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions. The helicopter has returned to base,” he said.
Ejodame reaffirmed the service’s commitment to protecting communities and sustaining pressure on criminal groups through coordinated air and ground operations.
