NAF, Navy and NSIB Divers Recover More Wreckage from Igbokoda Crash Site

Specialist divers from the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), working alongside Nigerian Air Force recovery teams, have retrieved additional components from the wreckage of the NAF ATR 42-500 aircraft that crashed in a swampy area near Igbokoda, Ondo State, on 5 October.

The multi-agency operation continues round the clock at the difficult-to-access site opposite the Naval Base in Ilaje Local Government Area.

Teams are employing hydrographic surveys, satellite-based search-and-rescue imagery, mud excavation and continuous water pumping to reach submerged sections and improve access to potential evidence. Recovered materials are being carefully documented and preserved to support the ongoing investigation into the accident.

The twin-engine turboprop, registration NAF 931 (also referred to as NGR 931), was on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13 a.m. The aircraft, configured for maritime patrol and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance duties, crashed into the Obe-Rebby swamp shortly afterwards. All 25 people on board—five crew members and 20 passengers—were killed. No survivors were found.

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The five crew members were Squadron Leader M.I. Aburime (captain), Squadron Leader A.P. Man-Ugwueje, Flight Lieutenant I.S. Bako, Warrant Officer Abubakar A. and Corporal Uguru H.C. Among the passengers were several military personnel as well as a small number of civilians.

The Nigerian Air Force has constituted a 12-member specialist Aircraft Accident Investigation Board to determine the circumstances of the crash and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence. The NSIB, which does not have statutory responsibility for military accidents, has offered technical support—including investigators and its Flight Safety Laboratory for flight-data and cockpit-voice recorder recovery and analysis—should the Air Force formally request it.

Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke has visited the site, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and stressed that only a thorough professional investigation will establish the cause. The challenging terrain of thick mud, poor underwater visibility and waterlogged ground continues to slow recovery efforts more than a week after the tragedy.

Search and recovery operations remain active as authorities work to retrieve all relevant materials needed for the inquiry.