By Tracy Moses
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has offered technical assistance to the ongoing search and rescue operation following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The aircraft, with tail number NGR931, was reportedly carrying 32 people when air traffic controllers lost communication with it while it was en route from Benin to Lagos.
The wreckage was later located near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, with search and rescue operations immediately launched.
In a statement on Monday, the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, expressed concern over the incident and extended the authority’s thoughts and prayers to the personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, occupants of the aircraft, their families and others affected by the crash.
Najomo noted that military aviation operations were outside the NCAA’s regulatory and operational mandate.
He, however, said the authority was ready to support the national response by providing any technical expertise and assistance required for the search and rescue operation.
The NCAA said it was closely monitoring developments and would continue to work with relevant authorities and agencies in line with established national emergency response protocols.
The authority also expressed solidarity with the Nigerian Air Force and other affected persons, while hoping that the rescue efforts would lead to the safe recovery of those on board.
The development followed confirmation by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, that air traffic controllers had lost communication with the aircraft.
Keyamo had earlier said, “I regret to inform the general public that Air Traffic Controllers have informed me of the disappearance of a military aircraft with tail number NGR 931, en route Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours earlier today. All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive.”
He later confirmed that the aircraft had crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda and that the wreckage had been located.
“Subsequently, information however confirmed that the military aircraft has crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The wreckage has been located and search and rescue operations are ongoing,” Keyamo said.
Preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board.
Keyamo also clarified that the regulation and control of military aircraft fell outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the NCAA.
He said he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged the ministry’s cooperation and assistance to the ongoing search and rescue efforts.
The NCAA’s offer of technical support comes as relevant government agencies coordinate the emergency response, despite the aircraft being outside the civil aviation regulatory framework.
At the time of filing, authorities had not released the identities or condition of those on board, while search and rescue operations remained ongoing.