The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has led senior Nigerian Air Force (NAF) officials to Igbokoda, Ondo State, as search, recovery and investigation efforts continue following the crash of an NAF ATR 42 aircraft.
Aneke visited the crash site on Thursday, October 8, to assess the ongoing operation and meet personnel working to recover evidence from the wreckage of aircraft NAF 931.
During the visit, the Air Chief expressed condolences to the families of the military personnel and passengers who died in the accident, paying tribute to their service and sacrifice to the country.
He assured the bereaved families and the public that the Air Force would conduct a thorough and professional investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
According to a statement by NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Aneke said all relevant evidence would be secured, documented, preserved and carefully examined before any conclusions were reached.
The Air Chief also cautioned against speculation about the cause of the accident, stressing that investigators must assess all available evidence before making a determination.
The recovery operation involves personnel from several security, emergency-response and government agencies.
Those supporting the effort include the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ondo State Government, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Amotekun Corps.
Local authorities, community leaders, volunteers and Hi-Tech Construction Company are also assisting the operation.
The Head of the Investigation and Recovery Team, Air Vice Marshal EOE Ebiowe, said recovery work was progressing in coordination with the relevant agencies.
He confirmed that the crash site remained secured and that recovered items and other evidence were being properly documented and preserved to support the investigation.
Aneke reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to supporting the affected families throughout the recovery and investigation process.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the agencies and community members assisting the operation, while thanking President Bola Tinubu for his guidance during the response.
The aircraft crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on October 5 while on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos. The NAF later confirmed that all 25 people on board—20 passengers and five crew members—died in the accident.
The cause of the crash has not been officially established. The Air Force says the investigation will continue as recovery teams preserve evidence needed to determine what happened.
For the families of those who died, the assurance of a thorough investigation remains a central part of the effort to establish the facts behind the tragedy.