The Ondo State Government has commended the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and local divers for their efforts in recovering flight recorders from the wreckage of the ATR-42 aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.
Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Emergency Response and Safety Enforcement, Wellington Oriade Adebawo, praised the personnel involved in the recovery operation, describing their efforts as a demonstration of professionalism, technical expertise and determination.
Adebawo particularly acknowledged the contributions of local divers, noting that their familiarity with the riverine environment and difficult water conditions around the crash site had been invaluable to the operation.
He said the recovery exercise required close cooperation among the Nigerian Air Force, local divers and other personnel, given the challenging nature of the crash location.
NAF recently announced the recovery of the aircraft’s Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and part of its Flight Data Recorder (FDR), describing the development as an important step in the ongoing investigation into the accident.
Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed the recovery in a statement issued in Abuja.
According to him, technical teams from the Air Force and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed that the recovered CVR was intact, while efforts were continuing to locate and retrieve the remaining portion of the FDR.
Reacting to the development, Adebawo said the recovered components could provide investigators with crucial information about the circumstances surrounding the crash.
He explained that the CVR could reveal conversations and sounds in the cockpit before the aircraft went down, while the Flight Data Recorder could provide technical information about the aircraft’s performance and operational parameters.
The governor’s aide urged the relevant aviation authorities and investigative agencies to ensure that the recovered materials undergo comprehensive technical examinations.
He stressed the need for a thorough, independent and transparent investigation to establish the actual cause of the crash and determine whether operational, technical or environmental factors contributed to the tragedy.
Adebawo said the findings should provide answers to the families of the victims while helping aviation authorities strengthen safety measures and prevent similar accidents in the future.
He also called for sustained collaboration among the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau and other relevant agencies to ensure that every aspect of the incident was properly examined.
The governor’s aide expressed the state government’s concern over the tragedy and extended condolences to the families, friends and associates of those who lost their lives.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed near Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area on Monday, October 5, 2026, during a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos.
All 25 people aboard the aircraft, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, died in the accident.
