NEMA deploys three swamp buggies to recover wreckage of Ondo air crash
By Julius Alabi, Akure
The Director of Search and Rescue, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Air Commodore Bature Usman has said that three swamp buggies had been deployed to the crash site to strengthen the recovery operation.
Air Commodore Bature disclosed this when he paid a briefing visit to the Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, at the Government House in Akure.
He said the recovery operation involved NEMA, the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Navy and local residents, who had continued to work together despite the difficult terrain.
According to him, the swamp buggies were being deployed into the swamp to enable the rescue team gain better access to the crash location and recover the wreckage and other parts of the aircraft.
Bature said he was in Ondo State on the directive of the Director-General of NEMA, Hajia Zubaida Umar, who is currently outside the country, to meet with the governor and appreciate him for his prompt response to the tragedy.
He commended the state government, SEMA, the Navy, Army, Air Force, Police and local residents for their swift response and efforts toward managing the disaster.
The NEMA director said the agency was collaborating with the state government, individuals and residents of the affected communities to coordinate resources and strengthen the ongoing recovery operation.
He expressed optimism that the wreckage and other parts of the aircraft trapped at the crash site would be recovered soon, despite the challenging swampy environment.
Responding, Governor Aiyedatiwa pledged the full support of the Ondo State Government to all agencies involved in the search and recovery operation following the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area.
The governor said he immediately directed relevant state authorities to mobilise resources after receiving news of the incident while attending an official engagement in Abuja.
Aiyedatiwa described the crash as a national tragedy and a total loss to the country, saying the young officers who died had paid the ultimate price in the service of Nigeria and in defence of the nation’s territorial integrity.
He commiserated with the families of the deceased personnel and acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for declaring three days of mourning in honour of the fallen officers.
The governor said the recovery operation had continued despite the difficult terrain, explaining that the crash site was located in a swampy area characterised by narrow and shallow creeks.
He noted that local residents had played a significant role in the operation by using smaller boats to navigate the creeks and assist the security and emergency agencies in reaching the crash location.
According to him, the residents worked alongside the Navy and other responders in efforts to rescue victims and transport them to hospital for treatment, but unfortunately, there was no survivor.
Aiyedatiwa said he would proceed to Igbokoda to meet with residents and personally assess the situation, while ensuring that the recovery operation continued until the wreckage was fully recovered.
He thanked NEMA, the military, local government authorities and residents for their sacrifices and commitment, assuring the agencies involved that the state government would continue to provide the necessary support.
In attendance at the briefing were the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Mr Gbenga Atiba; Director, Southwest, NEMA Zonal Operations, Ibadan, Dr Said Akinyele; and Assistant Secretary, SEMA, Mr F.A. Oruko.
