By Duchess Ifeoluwa
The Ondo State Police Command has stepped up security and support operations at the site of the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area, with personnel of the Command and its Marine Police deployed to assist ongoing recovery efforts.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu, visited the crash site on Tuesday for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and to review the ongoing recovery and security operations following Monday’s crash, which claimed the lives of all 25 people on board.
The ATR-42 aircraft, with registration number NAF 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed in the Igbokoda area.
During his visit, Ohagwu expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and the Nigerian Air Force, acknowledging the scale of the tragedy and assuring affected families and members of the public of the Command’s support throughout the response operation.
The police boss said the Command was working closely with other relevant agencies to support the recovery operation and assist efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
A key part of the police response is the provision of security at the crash scene, particularly as the recovery of victims and aircraft debris continues.
Ohagwu disclosed that personnel of the Ondo State Police Command and the Marine Police had been deployed to the scene to provide security and support the ongoing operations.
He said the recovery of the victims and aircraft debris was still in progress as of Tuesday.
The deployment is particularly significant given the difficult terrain around the crash site, which is located in a swampy area of Igbokoda and requires coordinated movement by security agencies and other emergency responders.
The Commissioner appealed to residents of Igbokoda and people across Ondo State to remain calm and allow the relevant authorities to carry out their responsibilities.
He also warned against the circulation of unverified information, saying such reports could cause unnecessary panic and confusion at a time when recovery and investigative activities were still ongoing.
Ohagwu assured the public that verified information would be released through appropriate channels as the recovery and investigation progressed.
The police command said its involvement was part of a coordinated response with other relevant agencies aimed at securing the crash scene, supporting the recovery of the victims and debris, and contributing to efforts to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The Ondo State Police Command also commiserated with the families of the 25 victims, the Nigerian Air Force and all others affected by the crash, pledging continued support to the agencies involved in the response.
