By Ayodele Oni
As search for the wreckage of the aircraft which crashed at the coastal area of Ondo state on Monday continues, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has commended the dedication and professionalism of NAF personnel involved in the operation.
He also appreciated the support provided by sister security agencies, government authorities and local communities.
In a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the CAS acknowledged the contributions of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ondo State Government, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun Corps, Hi-Tech Construction Company, local authorities, community leaders and volunteers.
Aneke noted that the coordinated response demonstrated the strong spirit of inter-agency cooperation and collective national service during a period of adversity.
He reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to conducting the recovery operation diligently and safely, in close collaboration with all relevant stakeholders.
The Air Chief also assured the public that further updates would be provided as the search and recovery efforts progress, while expressing appreciation to Nigerians and other stakeholders for their solidarity, prayers and support.
Meanwhile, the Flag Officer Commanding, FOC Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, and the Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdul Suleh, have inspected the crash site of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, as efforts intensify to recover the submerged aircraft.
The assessment visit followed the crash involving the NAF ATR-42 aircraft with tail number NAF 931.
The delegation was received at the Officers’ Mess of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Igbokoda, by the Commanding Officer, Navy Captain Andy Alemongwa, before proceeding to the base where government officials, community leaders, emergency management agencies and other stakeholders gathered to express their condolences and support for the Armed Forces.
Those present included the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government area, the Commissioners for Health and Environment, representatives of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Nigerian Red Cross Society and National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), alongside personnel of other security agencies.
Rear Admiral Mustapha conveyed the appreciation of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Service Chiefs to the Ondo State Government, communities, emergency agencies and other stakeholders for their support since the incident occurred.
He urged stakeholders to remain calm and continue to cooperate with the various agencies involved in the recovery operation.
As part of the renewed recovery efforts, an underwater survey using side-scan sonar equipment was commenced to map the crash location and determine the position of the submerged aircraft.
The sonar survey is expected to assist divers and other technical personnel in identifying the aircraft’s location and planning subsequent recovery operations, including the deployment of a swamp buggy to facilitate excavation in the difficult terrain.
The operation has also been reinforced with Nigerian Navy divers and Nigerian Air Force drone pilots using specialised equipment to conduct precise searches across the surrounding mangrove and forested areas.
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