Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has pledged the full support of the state government to agencies involved in the search and recovery operation following the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.
Aiyedatiwa made the commitment on Tuesday when the Director of Search and Rescue, National Emergency Management Agency, Air Commodore Bature, briefed him on the ongoing operation at the Government House in Akure.
The governor said he immediately directed relevant state agencies to mobilise resources after receiving news of the crash while attending an official engagement in Abuja.
Describing the incident as a national tragedy, Aiyedatiwa said the officers who lost their lives had made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the country and defence of its territorial integrity.
He condoled with the families of the victims and commended President Bola Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for declaring three days of mourning for the fallen personnel.
The governor said the recovery operation had continued despite the challenging terrain, explaining that the crash site was located in a swampy area characterised by narrow and shallow creeks.
He said residents had been instrumental to the operation, using small boats to navigate the creeks and assist security agencies and emergency responders in reaching the crash site.
According to Aiyedatiwa, the residents worked alongside the Navy and other responders in efforts to rescue victims and evacuate them for medical attention, but there were no survivors.
He said he would travel to Igbokoda to meet with residents and monitor the recovery operation, assuring all agencies involved that the state government would continue to provide the necessary support.
The governor commended NEMA, the State Emergency Management Agency, the military, local government authorities and residents for their efforts since the crash occurred.
Speaking during the briefing, Bature said NEMA had deployed three swamp buggies to the crash site to boost access and strengthen the recovery operation.
He said the operation involved NEMA, SEMA, the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Navy and local residents working together to recover the wreckage.
Bature explained that the swamp buggies would be used to navigate the difficult terrain and enable responders to reach areas where parts of the aircraft remained trapped.
He said he was in Ondo State on the directive of the NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar, who was outside the country.
According to him, the NEMA DG asked him to meet with Aiyedatiwa and commend the governor for his prompt intervention following the crash.
Bature also praised personnel of SEMA, the Navy, Army, Air Force and Police, as well as local residents, for their swift response to the emergency.
He said NEMA was collaborating with the Ondo State Government, individuals and residents to coordinate resources and strengthen the disaster management operation.
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The NEMA director expressed optimism that the wreckage and other parts of the aircraft trapped in the crash site would be recovered soon.
The meeting was attended by the Ondo State Deputy Governor, Olayide Adelami; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Gbenga Atiba; NEMA Director, South-West, Dr Said Akinyele; and SEMA Assistant Secretary, F.A. Oruko.
