NAF aircraft: Security tightens grip on Igbokoda crash site

Security operatives on Tuesday tightened access to the site of Monday's Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, as the recovery of the victims and wreckage remained ongoing more than 24 hours after the incident. The crash site, located about 500 metres east of the Naval Base, had been cordoned off by security operatives, preventing journalists and other persons from accessing the area.

Some journalists who visited the crash site without authorisation were reportedly arrested by operatives of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Igbokoda, for allegedly gaining access to the restricted area. The development came amid growing efforts by security agencies and other emergency responders to gain access to the crash site, which is located in a swampy and largely inaccessible terrain. The aircraft was said to have plunged deep into the swamp, with portions of the wreckage submerged in murky water and surrounded by thick vegetation and mangroves, making recovery operations difficult.

As of 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, the recovery operation was still ongoing, with emergency responders awaiting heavier equipment capable of pulling the wreckage from the water. The state Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, who spoke on the situation, said the difficult terrain had made access to the crash site particularly challenging. He said he had personally visited the area in a canoe to assess the situation, while personnel of the police and Marine, as well as the DPO in Igbokoda, had remained at the scene since the crash.

Ohagwu said, “What happened yesterday was quite unfortunate. It is a very difficult terrain — the creeks and mangroves made accessing the site of the crash difficult. I had to use a smaller boat, a canoe, to assess it. “I thank the OCA, Marine, and the DPO, Igbokoda, who have been on the ground since yesterday, giving us support. For now, the recovery of the wreckage is still in progress. “More technical support is being awaited.

We are still expecting a bigger machine to be able to pull the wreckage from the water. We have to pull it. " So, we are still expecting a response from NEMA and other agencies to come with a bigger instrument to pull the wreckage out of the water.” Also, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, who has been involved in the search and rescue operation, confirmed that access to the crash site remained a major challenge.

Ajaka said he had spent several hours in the forest with the Commanding Officer of the FOB, Igbokoda, supervising the operation and coordinating medical support. According to him, personnel and ambulances had been deployed from hospitals in Ilaje and Okitipupa local government areas on the directive of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. He said, “I have been in the forest with CO FOB Igbokoda for the search and rescue operation.

I have deployed personnel and ambulances from all the hospitals in Ilaje and Okitipupa LGAs as directed by Mr Governor. “The site is about 500 metres east of the Naval Base. People are just videoing and posting all manners of information far away from the site. I was at the place till around 11 p.m. with local divers, the CO and his men.” ALSO READ: NHRC calls for stronger systems to protect rights of older persons The commissioner urged members of the public to desist from circulating unverified information about the incident, describing the crash as a national disaster that should not be politicised.

He said the operation would continue with the deployment of swamp buggies and other specialised equipment to facilitate access to the crash site and aid the recovery efforts. “This is a national disaster that we shouldn’t play politics with. Please, let’s tarry and wait for verified information,” Ajaka said. He commended the Commanding Officer of FOB Igbokoda and his men, as well as medical personnel from the State Specialist Hospital, Okitipupa; the General Hospital, Igbokoda; the Comprehensive Health Centre, Igbokoda; and others involved in the search and rescue operation.

“We must commend this CO FOB Igbokoda and his men, other people involved in the search and rescue operation, including the medical personnel of the SSH Okitipupa, GH Igbokoda, Comprehensive Health Centre, Igbokoda and others. “May we not experience this type of monumental loss again in this country,” he added.