The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) have pledged support for ongoing search and rescue operations following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The NCAA, in a statement issued by its Director-General, Chris Najomo, on Monday said it received with deep concern the report of the crash of the Air Force ATR-42 aircraft with tail number NGR 931, with about 32 persons on board.
The authority said while military aviation operations were outside its regulatory oversight, it remained committed to supporting the national response and was ready to provide technical expertise and assistance as may be required.
“The Authority is deeply saddened by this development and extends its thoughts and prayers to the personnel of the Nigeria Air Force, the occupants of the aircraft, their families and all those affected,” Najomo said.
The NCAA added that it was closely monitoring developments and would continue to cooperate with relevant authorities in accordance with established emergency protocols.
In a similar statement, the NSIB expressed condolences to the Air Force and families of those on board the aircraft which was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The bureau, in a statement by its Director-General, Alex Badeh, said search and rescue operations had been activated and were ongoing in coordination with relevant agencies.
Badeh said the bureau stood ready to assist the Air Force, at its request, with technical support, including deployment of investigators and use of its Flight Safety Laboratory for recovery, readout and analysis of flight recorder data.
He noted that as the occurrence involved a military aircraft, investigative responsibility rests with the Air Force and the bureau would only provide assistance upon a formal request.
“The Bureau extends its sincere condolences to the Nigerian Air Force, and to the families and colleagues of all those on board. Our thoughts are with them, and with the search and rescue teams working at the site,” Badeh said.
He urged the public to rely exclusively on official updates from the Air Force on the rescue operation.