The Ondo State Government has deployed swamp buggies to assist in recovering the Nigerian Air Force aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, disclosed this at the crash site in Igbokoda, saying the aircraft had sunk deep into the swamp, making access difficult for rescuers.
Ajaka said the aircraft crashed about 500 metres east of the Nigerian Naval Forward Operating Base in Igbokoda, adding that preliminary accounts indicated the pilots diverted the aircraft away from the community before the crash.
According to him, the aircraft was carrying about 32 people — 25 passengers and seven crew members.
“It is no longer news that the aircraft was carrying about 32 persons, 25 passengers and seven crew members. The aircraft crash-landed and dived into the forest close to the Naval base, about 500 metres east of the base.
“From eyewitness accounts, it would have caused a terrible accident in Igbokoda community, but for the bravery of the pilots who diverted it away from the community,” Ajaka said.
He said search and rescue operations had continued since Monday, with the state government, security agencies and local authorities working together.
“Since yesterday, the search and rescue operation has been going on. We joined the Commanding Officer of the Forward Operating Base in Igbokoda and we have been on rescue operations,” he said.
Ajaka explained that swamp buggies were deployed because conventional vehicles and boats could not reach the wreckage.
“The latest is that swamp buggies have been deployed. That is what is needed now. You can see two of them here.
“It is not something a vehicle or speedboat can just go to. This one comes with a low bed to float and swim to the other side so they can get to where the body of the aircraft is,” he said.
He said the force of the impact had pushed the aircraft deep into the swamp, making excavation necessary.
“It has gone down. You know the weight and the force with which it went down. So there is no delay, we are deploying as fast as possible,” he said.
The commissioner said the state Commissioner for Environment and senior military officers were also at the scene to coordinate the recovery operation.
He said the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, and Air Force operations officers were at the site, alongside other military personnel.
Ajaka added that divers were working at the crash site and had recovered parts of the wreckage.
“Divers are doing their work. We are bringing wrecks out. For the main fuselage, we have to excavate deep down for it to be brought out.
“We have not seen the major body yet. By the time we bring the body out, we will be able to see the corpses,” he said.
Ajaka described the crash as tragic and commiserated with the Nigerian Air Force, the Armed Forces, the people of Ondo State and Nigerians.
“It is a sad situation. We commiserate with the Nigerian Air Force, the entire Armed Forces, all Nigerians and the people of Ondo State. We pray God will not allow this kind of thing to happen again,” he said.
He assured that recovery operations would continue until the wreckage was fully retrieved.
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