By Opeyemi Adelakun
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has expressed sadness over the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.
The governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, on Monday, said he had been in contact with the Nigerian Air Force leadership, the Ilaje Local Government Chairman, Maurice Oripelaye, and security agencies at the scene.
According to preliminary information contained in the statement, the ATR-42 aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed in a swampy area opposite the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had confirmed that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board the aircraft.
Aiyedatiwa expressed condolences to the Chief of Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force and the families of the personnel and passengers involved in the incident.
The governor also directed the State Emergency Management Agency, Ministry of Health and relevant security agencies to immediately mobilise logistical and human resources to support the Nigerian Air Force and other emergency response agencies at the crash site.
He further ordered that the area be cordoned off and secured to facilitate unhindered search and rescue operations.
Aiyedatiwa urged residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm, cooperate with emergency responders and avoid circulating unverified information.
The state government said it would continue to monitor the situation and provide updates based on information from the Nigerian Air Force.
“We pray for the safety of our gallant officers and for the success of the rescue efforts,” the governor said.
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