Aiyedatiwa Receives NEMA Briefing, Deploys Heavy Equipment to Igbokoda Crash Site

​Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has pledged the full support of the state government to federal emergency agencies spearheading search and recovery operations following the tragic Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area.

​Governor Aiyedatiwa made this commitment in Akure while receiving briefings from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Bature Usman, who led a technical team to the state on the directive of NEMA’s Director-General.

​A National Tragedy

​Describing the incident as a heavy national loss, the governor commiserated with the families of the victims and lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for declaring three days of national mourning for the fallen personnel. He noted that immediate directives were issued to state authorities to mobilise support upon learning of the crash while on an official engagement in Abuja.

​Addressing the logistical challenges posed by the swampy terrain, narrow creeks, and difficult access points, Governor Aiyedatiwa commended local residents, the Nigerian Navy, and other first responders. He noted that locals actively utilized smaller boats to navigate the creeks in initial rescue attempts.

​Deployment of Heavy Machinery

​Air Commodore Bature announced that three specialized swamp buggies have been deployed directly to the crash site to clear paths through the marshy terrain, making it possible to retrieve the wreckage.

​The joint recovery operation pools resources from NEMA, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and local community volunteers. Officials expressed confidence that with the deployment of heavy equipment, the remaining fuselage and materials trapped at the site will be recovered shortly.

ADVERTISEMENT

​Igbokoda Crash: Governor Aiyedatiwa Orders Full Mobilisation for Search and Rescue Operations

​This video provides visual coverage of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s directive and the ongoing emergency mobilization at the crash site in Ondo State.