The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, on Thursday led senior Nigerian Air Force officials to Igbokoda, Ondo State, to assess ongoing search, recovery and investigation efforts following Monday’s crash involving a NAF ATR 42 aircraft.
The aircraft, NAF 931, crashed in the Igbokoda area, killing personnel and passengers on board.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.
Aneke expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, commending the deceased for their service, sacrifice and commitment to the nation.
He said the NAF was committed to conducting the recovery and investigation with professionalism, transparency and diligence.
The CAS assured the affected families and the public that the service remained fully engaged in the recovery operation and investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
He said all relevant evidence would be secured, documented, preserved and carefully examined as part of the investigation.
Aneke cautioned against speculation over the cause of the crash, stressing that it would be premature to draw conclusions before all evidence and relevant factors had been assessed.
“It will be premature to draw conclusions at this stage, as all relevant evidence and factors must be meticulously assessed before any determination can be made,” he said.
He also assured the families of the NAF’s continued support and thanked President Bola Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for his leadership during the difficult period.
The Head of the Investigation and Recovery Team, Air Vice Marshal EOE Ebiowe, said the recovery operation was progressing in coordination with relevant aviation, security and emergency-response agencies.
Ebiowe confirmed that the crash site remained secured and that recovered items and other evidence were being properly documented and preserved to support the investigation.
He reiterated that no conclusion could be reached on the cause of the accident until the investigation was completed.
The NAF also expressed appreciation to government agencies, security and emergency-response organisations, local authorities, host communities and members of the public for their cooperation and support.
The service said it remained focused on completing the recovery operation, preserving evidence and providing appropriate support to the families of the victims.