By: Bola Ojuola, Akure.
Ondo State Governor, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Tuesday pledged the full support of the state government to agencies involved in the search and recovery operation following the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area.
Governor Aiyedatiwa made the commitment when the Director of Search and Rescue, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Air Commodore Bature, paid a briefing visit to the governor at the Government House in Akure.
The governor said he immediately directed relevant state authorities to mobilise after learning of the incident while he was at an official engagement in Abuja.
He described the incident as a national tragedy and a total loss to the country, saying the young officers who died had paid the ultimate price in the service of Nigeria and in defence of its territorial integrity.
He commiserated with the families of the victims and acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for declaring three days of mourning for the fallen personnel.
The governor said the recovery operation had continued despite the difficult terrain, noting that the crash location is a swampy area with narrow and shallow creeks.
He said local residents had been assisting the operation by using smaller boats to navigate the creeks and gain access to the location.
According to him, the residents worked with the Navy and other responders in attempts to rescue victims and take them to hospital for treatment, but there was no survivor.
Governor Aiyedatiwa said he would proceed to Igbokoda to meet with residents and ensure that the recovery operation continues.
He thanked NEMA, the military, local government authorities and residents for their efforts and assured all agencies involved of the state government’s continued support.
On his part, Air Commodore Bature said three swamp buggies had been deployed to the crash site to strengthen the recovery operation.
He said the operation involves NEMA, SEMA, the Nigerian Air Force, Navy and local residents.
Bature explained that the swamp buggies were being deployed into the swamp to enable the team to access the crash location and recover the wreckage of the aircraft.
He said he was in Ondo State on the directive of the Director-General of NEMA, Hajia Zubaida Umar, who is outside the country.
Bature said the Director-General directed him to meet Governor Aiyedatiwa and appreciate him for his prompt response to the incident.
He also commended SEMA, the Navy, Army, Air Force, Police and local residents for their prompt response.
The NEMA director said NEMA is collaborating with the state government, individuals and local residents to coordinate resources for disaster management.
Bature expressed confidence that the wreckage and other parts of the aircraft trapped at the crash site would be recovered soon.
