Residents of Igbokoda in Ondo State have recounted the distressing moments that followed the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft near a naval facility in the coastal community, as recovery efforts were hampered by the swampy terrain.
The aircraft reportedly came down during rainy weather, with much of the wreckage disappearing beneath the water. Residents who approached the area said clothes, shoes and human remains could be seen around the crash site as authorities began efforts to locate and recover the victims.
The Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, said he was away at court when he received information about the incident and immediately instructed officials from his palace to proceed to the location.
According to the monarch, there was initially uncertainty within the community about the type of aircraft involved. He said the crash occurred away from the populated part of the town, preventing a potentially wider impact on residents.
The traditional ruler explained that heavy rainfall had left the area waterlogged, making access to the crash site difficult. He said the aircraft did not catch fire but that a significant portion of it had gone beneath the water.
“From my investigation and what we have gathered so far, there was no survivor,” the monarch said.
A resident, Akintan Toluwalase, said community members rushed towards the area after hearing about the crash. He said residents encountered human remains but were unable to provide assistance because of the difficult terrain and condition of the crash site.
Toluwalase also said personnel from the Nigerian Navy arrived at the location during the morning as efforts to secure the area and begin recovery operations continued.
Another resident, Abel Bamidele, said the community had been experiencing rainfall when residents suddenly heard that an object had fallen from the sky.
He explained that some residents attempted to reach the aircraft, but the submerged wreckage could not easily be located from the surface. According to him, some young people from the community entered the water in an attempt to search for possible survivors but were unsuccessful.
The difficult terrain reportedly forced residents and responders to rely on canoes while navigating the area around the crash site. With the aircraft largely submerged, recovery teams faced the additional challenge of working in a waterlogged environment.
The crash occurred during a routine flight from Benin to Lagos and resulted in the deaths of 25 passengers and seven crew members, according to the report.
President Bola Tinubu subsequently declared a three-day national mourning period for the deceased personnel and directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country.
The President also ordered an investigation into the crash to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident and identify measures that could help prevent similar incidents.
