AAC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SOWORE VISITS NAF CRASH SITE IN ONDO, DEMANDS TRANSPARENT INVESTIGATION

Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, has visited the site of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, calling for a transparent investigation into the incident and raising concerns over the country’s emergency response capacity.

Sowore expressed concern over the crash, which involved a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft identified as NAF 931. The aircraft went down near Igbokoda, in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday, October 5, 2026, while travelling from Benin City to Lagos.

The aircraft was reportedly carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members when the accident occurred. The Nigerian Air Force subsequently confirmed that recovery and investigative operations were underway, while authorities continued efforts to locate and retrieve the submerged wreckage.

During his visit, Sowore called for a thorough and transparent inquiry into the circumstances that led to the crash. He stressed that the investigation should not be limited to determining the cause of the accident but should also examine how emergency agencies responded after the aircraft went down.

The AAC presidential candidate said images and videos emerging from the crash site had raised questions about Nigeria’s preparedness to respond rapidly and effectively to major disasters, particularly incidents occurring in difficult terrain.

He argued that a country with Nigeria’s population and resources should have adequately equipped and trained emergency-response teams capable of reaching remote locations and carrying out search, rescue and recovery operations without unnecessary delays.

Sowore said investigators should establish how quickly emergency personnel arrived at the scene, what equipment was available, the challenges responders encountered and whether a more effective emergency response could have made a difference.

He called for the findings of the investigation to be made transparent, insisting that the public deserved clear answers about both the circumstances surrounding the crash and the handling of the emergency that followed.

The crash occurred in a swampy area near Igbokoda, where thick vegetation, muddy terrain and difficult access have complicated recovery efforts. Search teams have been working with security agencies, emergency responders, local residents and other stakeholders to locate the main body of the aircraft and recover evidence.

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa previously said that recovery teams had retrieved human remains and aircraft fragments but had not located the main body of the aircraft during the initial operations. Authorities believed the wreckage was submerged in the swamp.

The difficult terrain prompted the state government to arrange for amphibious equipment to improve access to the crash site and assist recovery teams. Divers and other personnel have also used technical equipment to survey the area and help determine the aircraft’s location.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, visited the crash site on October 8 and assured the affected families that the Nigerian Air Force would conduct a thorough investigation. He said evidence recovered from the site would be secured, documented, preserved and examined.

The Nigerian Air Force also announced the establishment of a high-level investigative panel comprising military and civilian aviation safety experts, including representatives of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau and other relevant agencies.

The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident. Military authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation about the cause of the crash while investigators examine the available evidence.

Sowore’s demand for accountability places additional attention on the broader question of disaster preparedness in Nigeria, including the availability of specialised equipment, trained personnel and coordination among agencies responding to emergencies.

His comments also highlight the role of local communities in disaster response. Residents in the Igbokoda area have reportedly assisted recovery teams since the incident, with government and security agencies coordinating operations in the challenging environment.

The crash has caused grief among the families of the personnel aboard the aircraft and raised concerns about aviation safety and the support available to those affected by military aircraft accidents. Authorities have said they are continuing recovery operations and working to provide assistance to the victims’ families.

While the cause of the crash has not been officially established, the investigation is expected to examine relevant evidence and determine the factors that contributed to the incident. The findings could also inform recommendations aimed at preventing similar accidents and improving emergency-response procedures.

Sowore maintained that a transparent process was necessary to establish the facts, address legitimate public concerns and ensure that lessons from the tragedy are not overlooked.

Street News Reporters will continue to monitor developments in the investigation into the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State, including the recovery operation and calls for greater transparency and accountability.