By Ade Oyeyemi
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has expressed sadness over the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, and directed government agencies to support the ongoing search and rescue operation.
The aircraft, an ATR-42 with tail number NGR 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda on Monday. The Nigerian Air Force confirmed that a search and rescue operation had been activated.
Preliminary information from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board, bringing the total number of people aboard to 32. At the time of the latest reports, authorities had not officially disclosed the condition of those on board.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, Aiyedatiwa sympathised with the Chief of the Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force and the families of those aboard the ill-fated aircraft.
The governor said he had been in contact with the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Maurice Oripelaye, and security agencies involved in the response to the crash.
He directed the State Emergency Management Agency, Ministry of Health and relevant security agencies to deploy personnel, logistics and other resources to support the rescue efforts.
Aiyedatiwa also ordered that the crash site be properly cordoned off and secured to allow emergency responders to carry out their duties without interference.
The governor appealed to residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm and cooperate with emergency personnel, warning against the circulation of unverified information.
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He said the state government would continue to monitor developments and provide whatever assistance was required as the rescue operation progressed.
The Nigerian Air Force said further details on the incident would be communicated as they become available.
