Horror In Ondo: Aircraft Wreckage, Human Remains Trapped In Swamp After NAF Crash

Efforts to recover the wreckage and victims of the Nigerian Air Force aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, are being hampered by the difficult swampy and mangrove terrain, the state Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, has said.

Ohagwu disclosed this during an assessment visit to the crash site on Tuesday, saying responders had remained at the location since the incident but were struggling to retrieve the aircraft and human remains from the water.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the aircraft crashed in the coastal community on Monday, with recovery teams facing significant challenges due to the creeks and thick mangrove environment surrounding the site.

The police commissioner said he had to use a smaller boat to access the crash location because of the difficult terrain, while officers and other emergency personnel continued working to recover the wreckage.

Ohagwu said aircraft parts and human remains were still trapped in the water, adding that the operation required specialised equipment capable of pulling the wreckage out of the swamp.

He also confirmed that no survivor had been found as of Tuesday, while stressing that investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash were ongoing.

“There are no survivors yet. We are yet to see any survivors,” Ohagwu said.

The commissioner said an assessment of the scene showed aircraft debris, passengers’ clothing and human remains scattered around the water.

He, however, declined to comment extensively on the cause of the crash, stating that the relevant agencies needed to complete their investigations before any conclusions could be made.

Ohagwu explained that the police and other responders were awaiting heavier equipment from the National Emergency Management Agency and other relevant agencies to facilitate the recovery operation.

He said the larger machinery would be required to pull the aircraft wreckage from the water and enable responders to conduct a more extensive recovery effort.

The commissioner commended police officers and other personnel who had remained at the crash site since the incident, assuring that efforts to recover the wreckage and victims would continue.