The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and the Nigerian Navy have continued round-the-clock underwater search and recovery operations at the site of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR 42-500 aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The NSIB disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying the multi-agency team had recovered additional aircraft components to support the ongoing investigation into the October 5 accident.
The bureau said specialist divers were using hydrographic surveys, satellite synthetic aperture radar imagery, mud excavation and continuous water pumping to locate and retrieve wreckage buried beneath the waterlogged terrain. The difficult swamp conditions have continued to hamper access to parts of the aircraft.
The NSIB said the search remained active, adding that investigators were working to recover all relevant materials. However, it did not specify the components retrieved during the latest operation or announce any findings on the cause of the crash.
The aircraft, identified as NAF 931, crashed while on a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos. All 25 people on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, died in the accident.
The Nigerian Air Force has constituted a 12-member Aircraft Accident Investigation Board to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
Meanwhile, the incident has raised environmental concerns among Igbokoda residents, who rely on the river for domestic activities and fishing. Following complaints about a foul odour and possible contamination, the Ondo State Government ordered fumigation and directed the provision of potable water and essential health supplies to affected residents.
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