The Nigerian Air Force has constituted an investigative panel to determine the cause of the military aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, which claimed the lives of personnel on a routine flight from Benin to Lagos. Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, announced the investigation during a visit to the crash site, where search and recovery operations are ongoing.
Aneke, who led the inspection alongside senior Air Force officials, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and assured them that the investigation would be thorough. He said a team of military and civilian aviation experts, including representatives of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, the Accident Investigation Bureau and emergency management agencies, would examine the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The Air Chief said the crash site had been secured and that recovered items and other evidence were being documented and preserved. He stressed that investigators would assess all relevant factors before reaching any conclusion, urging Nigerians to avoid speculation while recovery and investigative activities continued.
Aneke also revealed that he and his family had previously flown in the ill-fated aircraft and that he personally knew many of the crew members. He described them as highly trained and professional personnel, paying tribute to their service and sacrifice to the country. He added that the Air Force would leave no stone unturned in determining what caused the tragedy.
The recovery operation is being conducted in collaboration with aviation, security and emergency-response agencies. The Air Force acknowledged the support of the Ondo State Government and other responders, while Aneke thanked President Bola Tinubu for his leadership during the difficult period. He noted that aviation operations carry risks but reaffirmed the military’s commitment to safety and a professional investigation.
The Pan Niger Delta Forum expressed deep sorrow over the crash, describing it as a painful loss for Nigeria and the South-South region. In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Godknows Igali, the group called for a speedy investigation to establish the cause of the accident, noting that people from the region were among those affected.
The Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria also mourned the victims, describing their deaths as a sacrifice made in the course of national service. The association honoured the fallen personnel and extended condolences to their families, colleagues, the Nigerian Air Force and the wider Armed Forces, while the search, recovery and investigation efforts continued.
