“No dead body has been found,” Mr Maurice Oripenaiye, Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, has revealed in fresh updates emerging on the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) aircraft that crashed on Monday.
TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Mr Oripenaiye, Chairman of the Local Government Area, where the crash occurred, also disclosed that efforts were ongoing to recover the bodies of the people on board the NAF aircraft.
The aircraft marked NAF-931 with 25 passengers was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it plunged into a swampy area close to the Nigerian Navy Base in Igbokoda at about 11:00am.
Oripenaiye in an interview on Tuesday in Igbokoda, said that a search and recovery team has been put in place, adding that the Army, Navy, Police, Red Cross, National Emergency Management Authority(NEMA), State Emergency Management Agency, local divers among others were fully on ground for the operation.
The local government boss also said that arrangements were being made for heavy equipment to clear the waterways for easy assess to the site.
According to him, HiTech Construction Company has been contacted for the usage of its equipment to clear the waterways for accessibility to the crash site.
Oripenaiye also said that for now, it was only the local divers using canoes, that were able to assess the swampy terrain, adding that no dead body has been found.
According to him, Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has directed all the necessary emergency agencies to the crash site for the recovery operation.
“This is also a national disaster. So, all necessary personnel, emergency authorities including local divers are on ground to search and recover dead bodies.
“As I speak with you, no dead body has been recovered from the site, but all will be done today to assess the swampy area,” Oripenaiye said.
He sympathised with the NAF and families of the victims as well as residents of Ilaje, describing the incident as unfortunate.
This is coming after the Nigeria Air Force released the names of personnel and passengers in the crashed NAF 931 aircraft.
In a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, listed the crew members as Sqn. Ldr MI Aburime (Flight Captain), Sqn. Ldr AP Man-Ugwueje (Co-pilot), Flt.-Lt. IS Bako (Co-pilot), Warrant Officer Abubakar A (Aircraft Technician) and Cpl. Uguru HC (Aircraft Technician).
He said the passengers included Flt.-Lt. TL Lazarus, Flt.-Lt. M Akinloye, Flying Officer IM Adeshina, Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F, Master Warrant Officer Matini BA, Warrant Officer Nuhu FS, Flight Sergeant James RB and Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI.
Others he said were Sgt. Ani AE, Sgt. Izibenikien SI, Sgt. Alafuka C, Sgt. Mbadugha AN, Lance Cpl. Ugwuba FC, Lance Cpl. Eledan GE, Mrs Ezeh Nneka, Godstmine Tarabina, Joy Micheal, Sunday Micheal, Ukeme David and Gideon Omotola.
Recall that the crew members and passengers lost their lives in the crash involving the NAF ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, in Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday.
The NAF director of public relations and information also said that the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke had expressed condolences to the families of the personnel and passengers.
He quoted Aneke as describing the incident as a deeply painful moment for the NAF and the nation.
The CAS expressed heartfelt sympathies to families, loved ones and colleagues of those who lost their lives.
He assured the bereaved families of the service’s full support during the difficult period, while also directing a comprehensive investigation to establish circumstances surrounding the accident.
He also assured that the NAF would continue to provide timely and verified updates as investigation progresses and urged the public to refrain from speculation and circulation of unverified information, while respecting privacy and dignity of affected families.
“A condolence register has been opened at Headquarters NAF, Abuja, for senior government officials, members of diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies, and other well-wishers who may wish to pay respects and convey messages of sympathy to families of the deceased and the NAF,” he said.