Air Chief Leads Igbokoda Probe, Vows Rigorous Inquiry into NAF 931 Crash

​IGBOKODA — The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, spearheaded a high-level delegation of senior Nigerian Air Force (NAF) officials to Igbokoda, Ondo State, to personally oversee the ongoing search, recovery, and investigative operations following the tragic crash of the NAF ATR 42 aircraft, NAF 931.

​The aircraft, which went down during a routine flight from Benin to Lagos, has plunged the nation into mourning, prompting a three-day national mourning period and directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for flags to fly at half-mast.

​During his visit to the accident site, Air Marshal Aneke laid bare the military’s resolve to uncover the root cause of the disaster while paying glowing tributes to the service and ultimate sacrifice of the personnel and passengers who perished.

​”All relevant evidence will be secured, documented, preserved, and examined as part of a thorough and professional investigation,” the CAS assured grieving families and the public, while strongly cautioning against premature speculations regarding what caused the crash.

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​Highlighting the scope of the ongoing operations, the Head of the Investigation and Recovery Team, Air Vice Marshal EOE Ebiowe, disclosed that recovery efforts are proceeding methodically in tandem with key aviation, security, and emergency-response bodies. AVM Ebiowe confirmed that the perimeter of the crash site remains heavily secured, with every recovered item and piece of forensic evidence cataloged under strict protocols.

​Air Marshal Aneke extended profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his steady leadership and guidance through the dark period. He also lauded the multi-agency synergy on the ground, praising the collaborative efforts of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Ondo State Government, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Amotekun Corps, Hi-Tech Construction Company, local community leaders, and dedicated volunteers.

​The Nigerian Air Force reiterated its unwavering commitment to wrapping up recovery operations transparently, facilitating a comprehensive probe, and extending continuous support to the families bearing the brunt of the tragedy.