NAF Plane Crash: Aiyedatiwa Orders Support for Igbokoda Rescue

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has ordered state agencies to provide full logistical and human support for the search and rescue operation at the site of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area.

 

The governor's position was made known on Monday in Akure in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan, in which Aiyedatiwa also expressed sadness over the crash.

 

According to the statement, the aircraft, an ATR-42 with tail number NGR 931, was reportedly on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it went down in a swampy area opposite the Naval Base in Igbokoda.

 

The governor sympathised with the Chief of Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force and the families of the personnel and passengers on board.

 

The statement said Aiyedatiwa had directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Ministry of Health and relevant security agencies to immediately mobilise resources in support of the Nigerian Air Force and other emergency agencies.

 

"The governor has also directed that the area be cordoned off and secured to allow for smooth and unhindered rescue operations," the statement said.

 

It added that the governor was in contact with the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government, Mr Maurice Oripelaye, and security agencies at the scene.

 

The state government appealed to residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm, cooperate with emergency responders and refrain from spreading unverified information.

 

It said it would continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information became available from the Nigerian Air Force.

 

"We pray for the safety of our gallant officers and for the success of the rescue efforts," the statement said.