An eyewitness, Oluboyo Olusola, who visited the scene of the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo, on Monday, said he saw parts of the aircraft, human remains and personal effects scattered around the swampy area, with some bodies inside the water.
Olusola, who explained that the incident happened around 10 am, said difficult terrain made access to the crash site challenging, adding that it took the intervention of naval personnel in the area to eventually assist in reaching the area.
He said although he did not witness the aircraft crash, the deafening sound alerted residents of the community, adding that what he saw at the scene suggested that there might be no survivors among those on board.
He explained that ‘We heard a loud noise like thunder and rushed to the scene, only to discover that it was an aircraft crash. Initially we thought it was an helicopter but later understood it was an aircraft.
‘It was difficult to access the terrain, but with the assistance of some naval officers, we were able to get there and saw the remains of the aircraft, as well as human remains, clothes, shoes, and other personal effects.
‘Some of the bodies were also inside the water. From what I saw, it appeared that there was no survivor,’
Also speaking with our reporter, the Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, said he was in court when the incident occurred and immediately directed some of his palace aides to visit the crash site.
The traditional ruler said he initially feared that the aircraft might have been a commercial passenger plane because of the potentially high number of casualties.
He said: ‘I was in court when the incident happened, and I directed some of my palace officials to visit the site. At that time, nobody could determine whether it was an aircraft or a helicopter.
‘I was worried because it must not be a plane, because the number of casualties would be just too high.
‘Our first thanks to Almighty God is that it did not happen inside the town; otherwise, the casualties would have been too many, but we sympathised with the families of the victims.
‘The aircraft crashed into the river and a swampy area. It was raining when the incident happened, and the place was waterlogged.
‘The aircraft did not catch fire, but a substantial part of it has gone into the water.
‘We cannot describe the exact situation for now, but from my investigation and what we have gathered so far, there was no survivor.’
The aircraft, an ATR-42 with tail number NGR 931, was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members when it crashed in a swampy area opposite the Naval Base in the Igbokoda area of the state.
The aircraft was reportedly on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
The crash threw the coastal community into panic as residents, security personnel and emergency responders moved towards the scene.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force confirmed the accident and said it had immediately activated a search and rescue operation.
In a statement issued by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the NAF said the search and rescue operation was being conducted in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.
The NAF said further details would be communicated as the operation progressed.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board the aircraft.
The Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Hon. Maurice Oripelaye, who earlier confirmed the incident, said military equipment was recovered from the crash site.
Oripelaye, however, said it was too early to establish the number of casualties, adding that the aircraft had been badly damaged.
The Ondo State Police Command also confirmed the crash and urged residents to remain calm and refrain from circulating unverified information.
In a statement signed by the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO Abayomi Jimoh, the command said details of the incident were still emerging as authorities worked to establish the full circumstances surrounding the crash.
The command assured members of the public that credible information would be released as soon as it became available.
Meanwhile, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has expressed sadness over the incident and directed relevant state agencies to provide full support for the ongoing search and rescue operation.
The governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, said he had been in contact with the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, the Ilaje council chairman and security agencies on the ground.
Aiyedatiwa directed the State Emergency Management Agency, Ministry of Health and relevant security agencies to immediately mobilise logistical and human support for the NAF and other emergency response agencies involved in the operation.
He also ordered that the crash site be cordoned off and secured to ensure unhindered rescue operations.
The governor expressed sympathy to the Chief of Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force family and the families of the passengers and personnel on board.
He urged residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm, cooperate with emergency responders and refrain from circulating unverified reports.
As of press time, the official casualty figure had yet to be released, while search and rescue operations continued at the crash site, and the cause of the crash also remained unknown.