NAF plans memorial for October 5 crash victims

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said it will hold a memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony for the victims of its NAF 931 aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on 26 November.

The ceremony will take place at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja. It aims to honour those who lost their lives in the accident on 5 October, as the air force is still investigating what caused the crash.

In a statement on Sunday, NAF spokesperson Ehimen Ejodame said the event will bring together grieving families, friends, colleagues, and members of the military community. They will gather to pay their last respects and recognise the service and sacrifice of the deceased.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that NAF has recovered the aircraft’s Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), along with other wreckage and evidence from the crash site.

Mr Ejodame confirmed these recoveries, saying the data from the recorder is being analysed. He believes it will greatly help in the ongoing investigation.

He added that recovery operations have found several human remains and fragments of the aircraft. The process of identifying these remains is still ongoing.

The air force spokesperson explained that the recovery efforts faced challenges due to the swampy ground and how deep some wreckage had sunk into the earth.

He mentioned that the investigation is moving forward with help from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Mr Ejodame also noted that NAF is working with relevant agencies to address environmental issues from the recovery exercise. They want to make sure there is proper cleanup after the operation.

This newspaper reported that the traditional ruler of Igbokoda raised concerns about water and air pollution after the crash. He warned that the community is facing a public health and economic crisis.

The accident happened when the ATR-42 aircraft, known as NAF 931, crashed in a swampy area close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. The aircraft was on a routine flight from Benin City to Lagos.

Air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft around 9:13 am. Shortly after, the wreckage was found near the Naval Base. All 25 people on board, which included five crew members and 20 passengers, died in the accident, according to the air force.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that there was confusion about the number of casualties after Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said 32 people were on board, including 25 passengers and seven crew members.

However, NAF later clarified that only 25 people were on the aircraft. This mix-up was due to different interpretations of aviation terms.

The final count included five active crew members and 20 passengers. Two military officials were classified as non-active crew members but were travelling as passengers.

After the crash, the Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Aneke, ordered a thorough investigation and search-and-rescue operations. The NAF confirmed that there were no survivors and later released the names of all 25 victims. Mr Aneke, an air marshal, expressed his condolences to their families and promised the Service’s support.

On 13 October, the air force announced the formation of a 12-member specialist aircraft accident investigation board. They will look into the circumstances and causes of the crash and suggest measures to prevent it from happening again.