By Ade Oyeyemi
The Nigerian Air Force has made progress in draining water from the site of its crashed ATR 42-500 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, as recovery operations entered their 14th day on Monday.
The aircraft, identified as NAF 931, crashed in a swampy mangrove area in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area, on October 5, 2026, killing all 25 people on board.
In a statement on Monday, the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said sustained pumping had substantially lowered the water level at the crash site.
He added that recovery personnel were working to remove most of the remaining water, subject to prevailing conditions.
“Continuous pumping has significantly reduced the water level at the site, with the recovery team working towards removing most of the remaining water, subject to prevailing conditions,” the statement read.
The Air Force disclosed that engineers were also reinforcing the embankment with sandbags to prevent a collapse and ensure stability as the dewatering exercise continued.
“Reinforcement of the embankment with sandbags is also ongoing to prevent collapse and maintain stability as dewatering continues,” Ejodame said.
According to the service, the recovery exercise requires sustained engineering work and water removal under difficult terrain conditions, highlighting the complexity of retrieving the remaining wreckage.
“The operation requires sustained engineering and dewatering efforts under challenging conditions, underscoring the scale and complexity of the recovery mission,” the statement added.
The NAF commended its recovery personnel and partner agencies for their contributions, particularly acknowledging the support provided by Hitech Construction Company.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, also praised the team for its resilience and professionalism, reaffirming the service’s commitment to completing the operation safely while supporting the ongoing aircraft accident investigation.
“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, commended the recovery team for its resilience and professionalism, reaffirming the NAF’s commitment to completing the operation safely and methodically while supporting the ongoing aircraft accident investigation,” the statement said.
The Air Force expressed sympathy for the families of those who died, acknowledging the pain and grief caused by the tragedy.
“The NAF remains deeply conscious of the pain and anguish of the bereaved families and extends its heartfelt condolences to them,” Ejodame said.
It also thanked the Igbokoda community and other stakeholders for their patience and cooperation, pledging to provide verified updates as the recovery exercise progresses.
25 People Killed in Crash
The aircraft crashed while reportedly undertaking a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos on October 5.
Air traffic controllers reportedly lost contact with the aircraft at about 9:13 am that day before the Air Force confirmed that all 25 people aboard, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, had died.
The recovery exercise has been hampered by the waterlogged mangrove terrain, requiring the involvement of several agencies, including the NAF, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau and emergency response teams.
Meanwhile, some residents of Igbokoda have expressed concerns about the possible environmental consequences of the crash, citing a strong stench and fears of contamination in a river used for fishing and domestic activities.
The recovery operation is continuing alongside investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
