Ondo Plane Cr∆sh: ‘No Surv!vor; Residents Rec0vered Identity Cards, Military Uniforms’
Ondo Plane Crash: ‘No Survivor; Residents Recovered Identity Cards, Military Uniforms’
— Governor Aiyedatiwa
The governor said he received information about the crash at about 10:30am and was informed that the aircraft had plunged into a swampy area near Igbokoda in the Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.
The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said that there is no indication that any of the 32 people aboard the Nigerian military aircraft that crashed in the state on Monday survived the incident.
Aiyedatiwa disclosed this during an interview on Channels TV programme on Monday night.
The governor said he received information about the crash at about 10:30am and was informed that the aircraft had plunged into a swampy area near Igbokoda in the Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.
According to him, residents heard a loud sound resembling an air tremor before some eyewitnesses reportedly saw the aircraft dive into the swamp.
He said personnel of the Nigerian Navy initially approached the crash site cautiously because they were unsure whether the aircraft could explode or catch fire.
The governor said that after it became clear that there was no immediate fire or explosion, Navy personnel, emergency responders, local residents and Amotekun operatives moved towards the crash site in an attempt to rescue those aboard.
However, he said the rescue teams did not find any survivors.
“No single life was saved. After this moment, they could not see any living soul in that aircraft,” Aiyedatiwa said.
He said responders recovered fragments of the aircraft, including parts believed to be from its wings, identification cards and military uniforms.
Aiyedatiwa said he was still receiving information from security officials and other authorities on the ground, while the Nigerian Air Force was conducting its own investigation to determine what caused the crash.
“It is a sad situation today and we are all really grieved as Nigerians. It happens in my own state, not just my state, even my own local government where I’m from,” he said.
The governor described the incident as “so painful,” adding that the victims were military personnel who had been serving to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
When asked whether there was any indication that some of the occupants might have survived, Aiyedatiwa said there was no such information available to him.
“We have not heard or known there are no signs of any survivors. No survivors yet,” he said.
The governor said he has been unable to speak directly with the naval officer commanding the base but had received updates through his security adviser, local government officials and Amotekun commanders.
“From all indications, no survivor yet that we can record,” Aiyedatiwa added.
The crash involved a military aircraft carrying 32 people and occurred in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
Authorities have yet to officially release the identities of all those aboard or announce a definitive cause of the crash.
