Recovery operations at the Igbokoda crash site in Ondo State entered their fourteenth day on Monday, with the Nigerian Air Force reporting significant progress in the battle against water and difficult terrain.
The aircraft, an ATR 42-500 marked NAF 931, went down at Igbokoda, and since then recovery teams have been working under challenging conditions to reach the wreckage. According to the Nigerian Air Force, continuous pumping has brought the water level down considerably, and the team is now working to remove most of what remains, depending on the conditions on the ground.
To keep the site stable as dewatering continues, personnel are reinforcing the embankment with sandbags.
The Air Force described the operation as one that demands sustained engineering effort, noting that the scale and complexity of the mission go beyond what many outside the recovery team might imagine.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, commended the recovery team for its resilience and professionalism. He reaffirmed the Air Force’s commitment to completing the operation safely and methodically, while supporting the ongoing investigation into the accident.
The Air Force also acknowledged the support of partner agencies, with particular appreciation for Hitech Construction Company, whose equipment and expertise have been invaluable to the operation.
In its statement, the Air Force said it remains deeply conscious of the pain and anguish of the bereaved families and extended its heartfelt condolences to them.
It promised to continue providing timely and verified updates as the operation progresses, and thanked the Igbokoda community for its patience and cooperation, as well as all stakeholders for their continued support.
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