— NEMA deploys swamp buggies to recover wreckage
By Dayo Johnson, Akure
AKURE — Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has 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 of the state.
Aiyedatiwa made the commitment when the Director of Search and Rescue, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Air Commodore Bature, paid a briefing visit to him at the Government House, Akure.
The governor said he immediately directed relevant state authorities to mobilise after receiving news of the incident while on an official engagement in Abuja.
He described the crash as a national tragedy and a huge loss to the country, saying the young officers who died had paid the ultimate price in service to Nigeria and in defence of its territorial integrity.
Aiyedatiwa commiserated with the families of the victims and acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for declaring three days of mourning in honour of the fallen personnel.
The governor said the recovery operation had continued despite the difficult terrain, noting that the crash site was located in 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 crash site.
According to him, the residents worked with the Navy and other responders in efforts to rescue the victims and take them to hospital, but there were no survivors.
Aiyedatiwa said he would proceed to Igbokoda to meet with residents and ensure that the recovery operation continued.
He thanked NEMA, the military, local government authorities and residents for their efforts, assuring all agencies involved of the state government’s continued support.
Earlier, Air Commodore Bature said NEMA had deployed three swamp buggies to the crash site to strengthen the recovery operation.
He said the operation involved NEMA, the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, the Nigerian Air Force, Navy and local residents.
Bature explained that the swamp buggies were being deployed into the swamp to enable the recovery team to access the crash location and retrieve the wreckage.
He said he was in Ondo State on the directive of NEMA Director-General, Hajia Zubaida Umar, who is currently outside the country.
According to him, the NEMA DG directed him to meet with Governor Aiyedatiwa and appreciate him for his prompt response to the incident.
Bature also commended SEMA, the Navy, Army, Air Force, Police and local residents for their prompt response to the crash.
The NEMA director said the agency was collaborating with the state government and local residents to coordinate resources for effective disaster management.
He expressed confidence that the aircraft wreckage and other parts trapped at the crash site would be recovered soon.
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