The Nigerian Air Force has commenced a probe into Monday’s deadly ATR-42 aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau offering to help recover and analyse the plane’s black box.
The Defence Headquarters said the investigation was ordered in compliance with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to establish the cause of the crash and help prevent a recurrence.
The aircraft, NAF 931, was flying from Benin City to Lagos on a routine mission when it crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
The NAF later confirmed that 25 people — five crew members and 20 passengers — were on board and that there were no survivors. Earlier reports had put the number of people aboard at 32.
Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the investigation would run alongside continuing search and rescue operations involving the NAF, sister services and emergency agencies.
The probe is now expected to focus on what happened in the final moments of the flight and whether mechanical, operational, weather or other factors contributed to the crash.
NSIB OFFERS BLACK BOX HELP
Amid the probe, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has offered technical assistance to the Air Force.
The NSIB said it could deploy investigators and provide its Flight Safety Laboratory to assist with the recovery, readout and analysis of the aircraft’s flight recorder data.
However, the Bureau clarified that it cannot independently investigate the crash because NAF 931 was a military aircraft.
According to NSIB Director-General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., responsibility for investigating military aviation accidents rests with the military authority under the NSIB Establishment Act 2022 and established international practice.
The Bureau said it would only participate formally if invited by the NAF.
That offer could become crucial if the flight recorder is recovered from the swamp where much of the aircraft wreckage was found.
The recorder could provide investigators with technical and cockpit information capable of shedding light on what happened before the aircraft went down.
QUESTIONS MOUNT OVER FINAL MOMENTS
Authorities have yet to announce what caused the aircraft to crash.
The aircraft disappeared from radar at about 8:13am GMT while travelling from Benin towards Lagos before its wreckage was located around Igbokoda.
Residents said they heard a loud sound before the aircraft plunged into the swampy area.
The difficult terrain has also complicated the recovery operation, with parts of the aircraft and personal belongings found in and around the water.
The NAF has urged Nigerians to avoid speculation and rely on official information while the investigation continues.
25 LIVES LOST
The tragedy has thrown the military community into mourning, with families, friends and colleagues taking to social media to remember the victims.
Among the dead were Squadron Leader MI Aburime, the flight captain; Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje and Flight Lieutenant IS Bako, the co-pilots; Warrant Officer Abubakar A and Corporal Uguru HC, aircraft technicians.
Twenty passengers were also killed.
They included Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus, Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye, Flying Officer IM Adeshina, Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F, Master Warrant Officer Matini BA, Warrant Officer Nuhu FS, Flight Sergeant James RB, Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI, Sergeant Ani AE, Sergeant Izibenikien SI, Sergeant Alafuka C, Sergeant Mbadugha AN, Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC, Lance Corporal Eledan GE, Mrs Ezeh Nneka, Godstime Tarabina, Joy Michael, Sunday Michael, Ukeme David and Gideon Omotola.
NEWLYWED PILOT AMONG VICTIMS
One of the most painful stories to emerge from the crash is that of Squadron Leader Man-Ugwueje.
The pilot had married fellow Air Force officer, Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle, in Abuja on September 19 — just 16 days before the crash.
Pictures from their wedding showed the couple smiling and holding hands as they celebrated the beginning of their married life.
Man-Ugwueje’s death has since triggered an outpouring of tributes from friends, colleagues and relatives.
FRESH OFFICER KILLED NINE DAYS AFTER COMMISSIONING
Flying Officer IM Adeshina was another victim whose career was cut short almost immediately after entering the Air Force.
Adeshina was commissioned on September 26 after reportedly emerging as the best graduating cadet of Branch Commission Course 3.
A photograph from the commissioning ceremony showed House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen presenting him with a plaque.
Nine days later, Adeshina was killed in the crash.
The deaths of the officers have intensified calls for answers as the NAF begins its investigation.
President Tinubu has also declared three days of national mourning and ordered flags to be flown at half-mast nationwide.
But beyond the mourning, attention is now firmly on the probe — and whether the aircraft’s flight recorder can provide the answers to the final moments of NAF 931.
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