NAF Crash: No Stone Will Be Left Unturned, Says Air Chief as Another Disaster Averted

• Orders probe, warns against speculation, hails Ondo govt, Igbokoda residents for efforts 

•Aero sympathises with bereaved families

Chinedu Eze in Lagos, Fidelis David in Akure and Linus Aleke in Abuja

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, warning against speculation over the cause of the tragedy until aviation safety experts complete their inquiry.

Aneke, who visited the crash site yesterday as recovery operations continued, said the investigation would involve military and civilian aviation safety experts, including representatives of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), accident and emergency management authorities, retired senior military officers, and experienced Air Force personnel.

The air force chief, who said he personally knew all the occupants of the ill-fated aircraft, described the crash as a devastating loss to the military and the families of the victims.

He assured the bereaved families that the Nigerian armed forces would provide the necessary support.

Aneke said, “I basically knew everyone on that flight. I’ve flown on this aeroplane. My family has flown on this aeroplane. I know each of the crew personally.”

He described the deceased crew members as “highly trained, professional and intelligent officers”, saying their sacrifice in the service of the country must be honoured.

“The best we can do is to honour the sacrifice they have put in,” he said.

Aneke, who said his visit was primarily to assess the welfare of those affected and ensure accountability, said the air force would not leave any stone unturned in determining what caused the accident.

He stated, “I had informed my Superintendent of Safety and Evaluation to come up with a high-level delegation comprising both military and civilian safety experts, NTSB, Accident and Emergency Management Board, retired senior officers and experienced Air Force officers, to sit down and get to the bottom of what happened.”

Aneke urged the public to resist the temptation to draw conclusions about the crash before the investigation was completed, stressing that aviation accidents require specialised technical examination.

He said, “This is not the time to start speculating, and I plead with you, the general public. We’ve lost people who are fighting for the nation. The best we can do for them is to be a little bit patient and let those who are the specialists get to the bottom of what has happened.”

He said the air force placed a high premium on safety, adding that its operational environment requires constant vigilance because increased aviation activities could also increase the possibility of incidents.

He stated, “If you know the aviation environment, you understand that the more activities you have, the more likelihood you have of incidents like this. We in the air force, we leave no stone unturned. When it comes to safety, everything is ensured.

“It’s a very big loss, and no amount of words we put can bring so-called understanding to those who have lost. I understand how it feels.

“The Nigerian Air Force is putting everything possible to ensure that the families get the necessary support they need.”

The chief of air staff also commended Ondo State Government and Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for committing resources and personnel to the recovery operation. He said the response demonstrated the importance of cooperation between government agencies, the military, and local communities during emergencies.

Aneke said, “I have inspected the crash cycle programme zero, and I want to use this opportunity to thank, first, the good people of Ondo State and our governor. They have committed resources, time and energy.”

He reserved particular praise for residents of Igbokoda, who he said were among the first responders after the aircraft went down.

He stated, “The locals here, the residents here, were the first responders. I’ve been briefed by the commander of the navy here. Words cannot describe how we Nigerians come together when things go south.”

Another Tragedy Averted as NAF Helicopter Makes Precautionary Landing

Barely 48 hours after the ATR-42 crash in Ondo State, another NAF helicopter made a precautionary landing in Benue State during an air interdiction operation in Ogbadigbo, a border town between Benue and Enugu states.

The incident occurred barely 24 hours after Aneke and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, called for joint aviation safety measures to prevent air mishaps involving military aircraft.

According to eyewitnesses, the pilot made a precautionary landing, prompting residents to rush to the scene to assist the officers on board. All those on board reportedly survived and exited the helicopter safely.

In a statement, the Nigerian Air Force, through its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the helicopter had successfully provided close air support to ground forces during an operation targeting suspected kidnappers in the Ogbadigbo area of Benue State, near the Enugu–Benue boundary.

According to Ejodame, the operation disrupted the activities of the suspected criminal elements and supported the advance of ground forces.

Responding to reports of the precautionary landing, he said, “Following the successful completion of the mission, the pilot, on return to base, exercised his professional discretion to execute a precautionary landing approximately 10 nautical miles from the airfield.

“This is in accordance with established operational and safety procedures following combat missions. The helicopter has returned to base.”

Although the service did not disclose the specific reason for the precautionary landing, the statement stressed that NAF remained committed to sustaining pressure on criminal elements, providing close air support to ground forces, and protecting communities through coordinated air and ground operations.

Aero Sympathises with Families of NAF Plane Crash Victims

Nigeria’s foremost carrier, Aero Contractors, expressed sympathy with families of the Nigerian Air Force plane crash victims.

The airline paid a condolence visit to the Nigerian Air Force following the tragic loss of personnel and pas-sengers in the ATR-42 aircraft.

A team of Aero Contractors officials made a solemn walk to the Nigerian Air Force Base along Murtala Mu-hammed Airport Road, Lagos, where the airline for-mally conveyed its deepest sympathies to Chief of the Air Staff, Nigerian Air Force, and the families, col-leagues and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the tragedy.

The visit took place during Aero Contractors’ ongoing Customer Service Week activities, which the airline paused as a mark of respect and solidarity with Nigeri-an Air Force and the nation during this period of mourning.

Aero Contractors said the gesture reflected its belief that service and humanity extended beyond the cus-tomer experience and that, particularly within the avi-ation community, organisations must stand together in moments of both achievement and profound loss.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, said, “Going the extra mile is not only about how we serve our customers. It is also about showing up, standing with one another, and being present when it matters most.”

In his condolence message, Sanusi expressed his per-sonal sympathy to the bereaved families and the Nige-rian Air Force.