NAF crash: Gov Aiyedatiwa pledges support for recovery operation

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has pledged the full support of the state government for ongoing search and recovery operations following the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.

Aiyedatiwa made the commitment while receiving a briefing from the Director of Search and Rescue at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Air Commodore Bature, in Akure.

He described the incident as a national tragedy and a great loss to the country, while commiserating with the families of the deceased military personnel.

He noted the difficult swampy terrain of the crash site and commended residents of the area, security agencies and emergency responders for their efforts in the recovery operation.

Aiyedatiwa said he directed the immediate mobilisation of relevant agencies after receiving news of the crash, adding that he would visit Igbokoda to assess the situation and support the ongoing recovery efforts.

According to NEMA, three swamp buggies have been deployed to improve access to the crash site and facilitate the recovery of the aircraft wreckage.

The recovery operation involves NEMA, the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force and local residents.

The governor also acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of three days of mourning in honour of the deceased personnel.

He assured all agencies involved in the operation of the continued support of the Ondo State Government as efforts to recover the aircraft and manage the aftermath of the crash continue.