By Eshioromeh Sebastian, James Adamu and Nathaniel Irobi
The Federal Government has initiated moves to bridge the longstanding operational divide between Nigeria’s civil and military aviation sectors, following the tragic crash of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft at Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, met in Abuja on Wednesday, where they resolved to establish a joint framework involving the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the NAF to strengthen aviation safety, airworthiness, certification, training and capacity building.
The development is expected to narrow the operational gap between civil and military aviation, while facilitating greater exchange of technical expertise between the two sectors.
Keyamo, Air Chief Hold Private Meeting
Keyamo, who paid a condolence visit to the Air Chief, signed the condolence register before holding a private meeting with Aneke.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, the minister said the accident had reinforced the need for closer cooperation between civil and military aviation authorities, stressing that aviation accidents do not discriminate between civilian and military operators.
“It is one country, one people. When disaster happens, it affects everybody. There were civilians in that air crash and when there’s an air crash in civil aviation too, there can be military personnel. And so, we must cooperate in the area of safety,” Keyamo said.
He said the Federal Government would leverage the expertise available in both sectors to improve aviation safety and protect the lives of Nigerians.
According to him, the NAF already depended on some civil aviation infrastructure, particularly air traffic control, making it necessary to expand the existing relationship into a more structured and mutually beneficial partnership.
Joint Committee to Be Established
Keyamo disclosed that he had already contacted the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Chris Najomo, and facilitated direct communication between the NCAA leadership and the Chief of Air Staff.
The minister stated that a joint committee involving the NCAA and the NAF would be established to coordinate collaboration in areas including airworthiness, certification, training and other aviation safety measures.
He stressed that the proposed framework would respect the statutory mandates of the respective institutions while creating room for greater technical cooperation.
Keyamo also offered NAF personnel access to relevant training programmes being undertaken by civil aviation authorities.
“There is no reason we cannot take some names from the Air Force. We have a lot of training we go for, so there is no reason why we cannot,” he said.
The minister noted that the collaboration would not be a one-way arrangement, pointing out that the military also possesses specialised knowledge and experience that could benefit civil aviation.
Aneke: We Are Serving the Same Government
In his response, Aneke commended the minister for the condolence visit and his support for the Nigerian Air Force, describing the engagement as evidence of the growing relationship between the civil and military aviation sectors.
Aneke noted that discussions had already commenced on a framework that would allow personnel from the civil aviation sector to support the Air Force’s safety environment, particularly in areas of airworthiness and certification.
He added that NAF personnel would also make their expertise available to the civil aviation sector where necessary.
“We have both agreed that we need to move the aviation industry, whether military or civil, to a higher level,” Aneke said.
“We are serving the same government; we are protecting the same Nigerians. So, we are just a blend of each other.”
Ondo Tragedy: Pilot Averted Bigger Disaster, Says Aiyedatiwa
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said the pilot of the NAF ATR-42 aircraft averted a bigger disaster by manoeuvring the plane away from the community before it went down.
Aiyedatiwa disclosed this during an on-the-spot assessment of the crash scene.
According to the governor, residents who witnessed the incident said the aircraft appeared to be descending towards the community, accompanied by a sound suggesting an engine problem.
He said the pilot managed to manoeuvre the aircraft away from the community before it crashed into a swamp about 200 metres away.
Aiyedatiwa said only the pilot could explain the effort made to divert the aircraft, adding that a crash in the middle of the community would have resulted in a major catastrophe.
The governor described the crash site as a “very gory sight”, saying parts of bodies, clothes and jackets belonging to Air Force personnel, as well as broken aircraft parts, had been recovered and preserved for further investigation.
He, however, said the main body of the aircraft had yet to be sighted, as it was believed to be submerged in the swamp.
According to him, the difficulty in accessing the site prompted him to direct the Ministry of Works to deploy two amphibious machines to create wider access through the waterways.
Recovery Operation Intensifies
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, and the Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdul Suleh, have conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the crash site.
The visit came as recovery and evacuation efforts entered the third day, with the aircraft still submerged deep in the swamp, posing significant challenges to the search and recovery teams.
The delegation was received at the Officers’ Mess of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Igbokoda, by the Commanding Officer, Navy Captain Andy Alemongwa. Government officials, community leaders, emergency management agencies and other stakeholders were also present to express their condolences and solidarity with the Armed Forces.
Addressing the gathering, Mustapha conveyed the appreciation of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Service Chiefs to the Ondo State Government, host communities, emergency agencies and other stakeholders for their support since the incident.
He urged stakeholders to remain calm and continue to cooperate with the agencies involved in the recovery operation.
The FOC also commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as well as Hi-Tech and AUC Construction companies, for providing mechanised equipment to support the recovery efforts.
Sonar, Drones Deployed
At the site, the team evaluated the ongoing operation and provided technical guidance aimed at facilitating the recovery of the submerged aircraft and its contents.
As part of the efforts, a side-scan sonar underwater survey was commenced to map the crash location and determine the position of the submerged aircraft.
The survey is expected to assist divers and other technical personnel in locating the aircraft and planning subsequent recovery operations, including excavation in the difficult terrain.
The operation has also been reinforced with Nigerian Navy divers and NAF drone pilots using specialised equipment to conduct searches across the surrounding mangrove and forested areas.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has deployed the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Department, equipped with specialised equipment, to obtain a clearer underwater picture of the mapped area due to the high turbidity of the swamp.
Obi Pays Tribute, Campaign Suspended
Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has visited the Nigerian Air Force facility in Abuja to sign the condolence register for personnel who died in the aircraft crash.
Obi, a former Anambra State governor, used the visit to pay tribute to members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies who, he said, make daily sacrifices in the service of the country.
He described the loss as a painful reminder of the risks Nigerian military personnel face while defending the nation and protecting citizens.
“May God grant eternal rest to the departed and give their families the strength and fortitude to bear this painful loss,” he said.
Similarly, the Adebayo-Bugaje Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential campaign has suspended all national and state campaign activities for one week in honour of the 25 passengers and crew members who died in the crash.
The suspension took effect immediately as a demonstration of solidarity with the NAF and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
In a statement, the Head of the Media and Communications Directorate of the campaign, Mark Adebayo, said: “The Adebayo-Bugaje Presidential Campaign is deeply devastated by the heartbreaking news of the NAF aircraft accident in the coastal riverine terrain of Igbokoda. These fallen heroes and civilians gave their all in service to our fatherland. In moments of such monumental national tragedy, politics must take a backseat to national mourning and deep reflection.”
Bayelsa Mourns Four Indigenes
The Bayelsa State Executive Council observed a minute’s silence in honour of four indigenes of the state who died in the crash.
The NAF had said 25 passengers and crew died in the crash, including four Bayelsa indigenes identified as Flight Lieutenant Tarila Lazarus from Southern Ijaw Local Council; Sergeant Izibenikien Samuel from Yenagoa; Sergeant Ebimobowei Charles Alafuka from Ekeremor; and Godstime Tarabina from Kolokuma/Opokuma.
Governor Douye Diri, who presided over the 198th meeting of the State Executive Council at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Yenagoa, expressed grief over the loss on behalf of the government and people of the state.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the governor said the state had been deeply affected by the tragedy.
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