Aiyedatiwa mourns victims of Ondo air crash, directs support for rescue
By Julius Alabi, Akure
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has mourned the victims of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash at Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, directing state agencies to provide full support for the ongoing search and rescue operation.
Aiyedatiwa, in a statement issued yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, expressed deep sadness over the incident and extended his condolences to the Chief of Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force family and the families of personnel and passengers on board the ill-fated aircraft.
The aircraft, an ATR-42 with tail number NGR 931, reportedly crashed in a swampy area opposite the Naval Base in Igbokoda while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed the crash, while the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board the aircraft.
The governor said he had been in contact with the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Maurice Oripelaye, and security agencies deployed to the scene.
He consequently directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ministry of Health and relevant security agencies to immediately mobilise and provide logistical and human support to the NAF and other emergency response agencies involved in the search and rescue operation.
Aiyedatiwa also directed that the crash site be cordoned off and secured to enable emergency responders to conduct rescue operations smoothly and without hindrance.
He appealed to residents of Igbokoda and adjoining communities to remain calm, cooperate with emergency responders and refrain from spreading unverified information about the incident.
The governor said the state government would continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available from the Nigerian Air Force.
He prayed for the safety of the officers involved in the rescue operation and expressed hope for the success of the ongoing efforts at the crash site.
