Governor Aiyedatiwa Confirms No Survivors in Ondo Air Force Crash

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has confirmed that no survivors have been recovered following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area on Monday morning, October 5. Speaking hours after the tragic incident, the governor disclosed that search operations involving residents, emergency services, and security personnel at the crash site have so far yielded no living individuals.

“From the information I've received from those on the ground, there are no survivors yet,” Governor Aiyedatiwa stated. He added, “I haven't been able to directly communicate with the Naval captain leading the base, but my security advisor has been in touch with the Amotekun leader in the local government and the local government chairman. All indications point to no survivors recorded at this time.”

The ill-fated aircraft, carrying twenty-five passengers and seven crew members, was reportedly on a “routine mission” from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos when it went down in Igbokoda, Ondo State, shortly after 9:00 am (0800 GMT).

Narrating the sequence of events, Governor Aiyedatiwa explained that local residents reported hearing a sound akin to an “air tremor” or shaking. He noted, “There was no fire, nothing, but some people saw the aircraft nose-dive into the swamp area.” He further detailed that Nigerian Navy personnel initially held back to prevent any potential explosion or fire outbreak. Upon confirming there was no sign of fire, they moved in to attempt a rescue. Local emergency management agencies and residents, alongside the Amotekun base in Ilaje Local Government, also swiftly joined the rescue efforts.

However, despite their prompt response, “no single life was saved up to this moment. They could not see any living soul that was in that aircraft,” the governor lamented. Investigators did find wreckage, including parts of the aircraft's wings, along with retrieved ID cards and uniforms, which confirmed it was a military aircraft. The Nigerian Air Force is currently investigating to determine the cause of the fatal incident.