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Human remains, aircraft wreckage and personal belongings have been recovered from the scene of Monday’s Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, with a resident saying the condition of the site suggested there were no survivors.
The resident, Oluboyo Olusola, who visited the crash site, said parts of the aircraft, clothes, shoes and other personal effects were scattered across the swampy area, while some bodies were found in the water.
He said the difficult terrain initially prevented residents and first responders from reaching the wreckage until naval personnel assisted them.
“We heard a loud noise like thunder and rushed to the scene, only to discover that it was an aircraft crash. Initially, we thought it was a helicopter but later understood it was an aircraft,” Olusola said.
“It was difficult to access the terrain, but with the assistance of some naval officers, we were able to get there and saw the remains of the aircraft, as well as human remains, clothes, shoes and other personal effects.
“Some of the bodies were also inside the water. From what I saw, it appeared that there was no survivor.”
The Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, also said the aircraft crashed into a river and swampy area during rainfall, adding that a substantial part of the aircraft had gone into the water.
“We cannot describe the exact situation for now, but from my investigation and what we have gathered so far, there was no survivor,” the monarch said.
The aircraft, an ATR-42 with tail number NGR 931, was on a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos when it crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board, bringing the total number of people aboard to 32.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had earlier said no survivor had been found after residents, security personnel and emergency responders searched the crash site.
The Nigerian Air Force also confirmed the crash and said search-and-rescue operations had been activated in collaboration with relevant authorities.
However, Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Maurice Oripelaye, urged caution, saying it was too early to establish the final casualty figure while recovery operations were still ongoing.
President Bola Tinubu has since declared three days of national mourning for the military personnel involved in the crash and directed the Nigerian Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation into its cause.
The national flag is to be flown at half-mast throughout the mourning period.
The National Safety Investigation Bureau said the investigation falls under the Nigerian Air Force because the aircraft was military-owned, but offered to provide technical assistance, including support with flight-recorder recovery and analysis if formally requested.
