The Nigerian Air Force has opened an investigation into the October 5 crash of its ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, as recovery teams intensify efforts to locate the submerged wreckage and retrieve the remains of victims.
The aircraft, identified as NAF 931, crashed in the swampy area of Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area, while on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos. All 25 people aboard — 20 passengers and five crew members — died in the incident.
The NAF has now constituted a board of inquiry to establish what caused the crash, according to a military source. The investigation is being conducted alongside the recovery operation because the difficult terrain means the wreckage and other evidence remain partly submerged.
NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, separately confirmed that Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, had directed a comprehensive investigation and said the eventual findings would be communicated publicly.
The recovery operation has been complicated by dense vegetation, swampy terrain and poor underwater visibility at the crash site.
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa visited the location on Wednesday and directed that the search for the victims and wreckage continue.
He said the main body of the aircraft had not been located at the time of his visit and described the crash site as a difficult environment for recovery teams.
Two amphibious machines, popularly known as swamp buggies, have been deployed to open access through the waterways and allow larger boats and recovery equipment to reach the area.
The Nigerian Navy has also deployed sonar equipment from its Hydrographic Department to help locate the aircraft beneath the water.
The recovery effort involves the Navy, Air Force, emergency agencies, divers, local volunteers and other technical personnel.
The casualty figure has also been clarified. Initial reports put the number of people aboard at 32, but the NAF subsequently confirmed that 25 people were on the aircraft, comprising 20 passengers and five crew members.
The clarification followed confusion over the way the number of passengers and crew had initially been communicated.
Meanwhile, the crash has triggered moves to strengthen cooperation between Nigeria’s civil and military aviation authorities.
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo and Air Marshal Aneke agreed to deepen collaboration between the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the NAF in areas including airworthiness, certification, training, capacity building and aviation safety.
The two officials agreed that a joint committee should be established to facilitate technical cooperation while preserving the statutory responsibilities of both institutions.
Keyamo also offered NAF personnel access to relevant civil aviation training programmes, while Aneke said civil aviation professionals could support the Air Force in areas such as airworthiness and certification.
The tragedy has also renewed calls for a wider examination of Nigeria’s military aviation system.
Former Department of State Services director Mike Ejiofor said the investigation should go beyond determining the immediate cause of the Igbokoda crash to examining aircraft maintenance, operational conditions and the broader safety record of military aviation.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full investigation into the crash and declared three days of national mourning for the victims.
For now, investigators face the immediate task of recovering the aircraft and securing evidence from the swamp, while aviation authorities consider measures aimed at strengthening military and civil aviation safety.
The cause of the crash has not been established publicly, and officials have cautioned against drawing conclusions before the investigation is completed.
