Ondo Plane Crash: Aiyedatiwa Says No Survivor Found, Military Items Recovered

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said there is currently no indication that any of the 32 people aboard the Nigerian military aircraft that crashed in the state on Monday survived the incident.

Aiyedatiwa made the disclosure during an interview on Channels Television on Monday night, while providing an update on the crash and the ongoing response operation.

The governor said he was informed about the incident at about 10:30am and was told that the aircraft had crashed into a swampy area near Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, residents in the area reportedly heard a loud sound before eyewitnesses saw the aircraft plunge into the swamp.

He explained that personnel of the Nigerian Navy initially approached the crash site cautiously because of concerns that the aircraft could catch fire or explode.

However, after responders determined that there was no immediate fire or explosion, Navy personnel, emergency workers, local residents and operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun, moved towards the site in an attempt to rescue those aboard.

Aiyedatiwa said the rescue teams, however, did not find any survivors at the crash site.

“No single life was saved. After this moment, they could not see any living soul in that aircraft,” the governor said.

He added that responders recovered fragments of the aircraft, including parts believed to be from its wings, as well as identification cards and military uniforms.

The governor said he was continuing to receive updates from security agencies and other officials involved in the response, while the Nigerian Air Force was conducting an investigation to establish the cause of the crash.

Describing the incident as a painful tragedy, Aiyedatiwa said the victims were military personnel who had been serving the country and protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

The governor was also asked whether there was any indication that some of the occupants could have survived.

He said no such information had been made available to him.

“We have not heard or known there are no signs of any survivors. No survivors yet,” he said.

Aiyedatiwa explained that although he had not been able to speak directly with the naval officer commanding the base, he had received updates through his security adviser, local government officials and Amotekun commanders.

“From all indications, no survivor yet that we can record,” he added.

The military aircraft, which was carrying 32 people, crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday.

Authorities have yet to officially release the identities of all those aboard or announce a definitive cause of the crash.