The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: Nigerian Air Force

  • NAF Pledges Welfare Support To Families Affected By Ondo Aircraft Crash

    NAF Pledges Welfare Support To Families Affected By Ondo Aircraft Crash

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Nigerian Air Force has pledged welfare assistance to families affected by the ongoing recovery operation following an aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

    The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said the service would ensure that eligible families receive applicable entitlements and other approved benefits.

    In a statement issued on Friday, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the support would include benevolent funds, scholarships for eligible children and other welfare provisions.

    “The NAF recognises that its responsibility to the affected families extends beyond the recovery operations and remains committed to providing the necessary support with compassion, dignity and a deep sense of duty,” the statement said.

    The service also announced that it had established a dedicated helpline at its headquarters to help affected families obtain timely and relevant information.

    Meanwhile, the Air Officer Commanding, Tactical Air Command, Air Vice Marshal MC Ekwueme, visited Igbokoda on Aneke’s directive to engage community leaders and residents over concerns about the possible impact of the recovery exercise on their water source.

    Ekwueme acknowledged the concerns and assured residents that the Air Force would address them through appropriate channels. He also thanked the community for its patience and cooperation.

    The NAF disclosed that recovery teams had deployed several pumping machines to remove water around the crash site in an effort to reach the main wreckage, which remains submerged and deeply embedded in the riverbed.

    It said the operation had been complicated by the depth of the wreckage, difficult underwater conditions and challenging terrain, requiring specialised technical support and careful coordination.

    The Air Force said its personnel remained committed to conducting the recovery exercise safely while respecting the dignity of the victims.

    It also commended the Igbokoda community and partner agencies for their cooperation, promising to provide verified updates as the operation progresses.

  • NAF Crash: Senate, Reps Launch Probe Into Military Aircraft Maintenance

    NAF Crash: Senate, Reps Launch Probe Into Military Aircraft Maintenance

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Senate and House of Representatives have resolved to investigate the maintenance and airworthiness of Nigerian Air Force aircraft following a crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, which reportedly claimed 25 lives.

    The Senate adopted the resolution on the resumption of plenary after a motion sponsored by the Chairman of its Committee on Air Force, Senator Osita Ngwu, who raised concerns over recurring military aircraft accidents and aviation safety.

    Ngwu recalled that an Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, with registration number NGR 931, crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, on October 5, 2026, while on a routine flight from Benin City to Lagos.

    Lawmakers expressed concern over the loss of military personnel in aircraft accidents, questioning the maintenance of military planes, the condition of ageing fleets and compliance with operational safety requirements.

    The Senate stressed that the airworthiness of military aircraft was essential to national security, intelligence operations and defence readiness.

    It warned that failure to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the latest crash could undermine efforts to prevent similar incidents.

    As part of its resolutions, the Senate urged the Federal Government to increase funding for regular aircraft maintenance and the replacement of ageing planes.

    It also mandated its committees on Air Force and Aviation to visit the crash site, engage with Air Force authorities and conduct a comprehensive assessment of the serviceability and airworthiness of aircraft in the presidential and military fleets.

    The upper chamber further called on the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau to investigate both the immediate and underlying causes of the crash and make their findings public.

    The House of Representatives also resolved to investigate the incident following a motion sponsored by the Chairman of its Committee on Air Force, Kabiru Rurum.

    The House equally called for an audit of aircraft in the Air Force fleet and improved funding to ensure proper maintenance.

    The investigations are expected to examine aircraft safety and maintenance practices, with the aim of identifying possible lapses and preventing future accidents.

  • Defence Minister Orders Full Investigation Into Ondo Military Aircraft Crash

    Defence Minister Orders Full Investigation Into Ondo Military Aircraft Crash

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (retd.), has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the military aircraft crash in Ondo State that claimed the lives of several military personnel and civilians.

    Musa said the probe would determine the circumstances surrounding the crash and identify measures required to strengthen aviation safety across the Nigerian Armed Forces.

    In a statement issued on Monday, the minister described the incident as a painful loss to the military and the country, commending the deceased personnel for their service and commitment to Nigeria.

    He said, “A comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate crash has been ordered to ascertain the cause and ensure all necessary operational safety protocols are reinforced across our military aviation units.”

    Musa expressed condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the Armed Forces, and the families, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased.

    He also extended his sympathy to the families of civilians who were reportedly aboard the aircraft.

    The minister prayed for strength for the bereaved families and members of the military community as they cope with the loss.

    The development followed President Tinubu’s declaration of three days of national mourning over the crash.

    Tinubu directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the victims.

    The aircraft, which was described by authorities as being on a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos, crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State shortly after 9am on Monday.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the crash as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the nation.

    Tinubu said members of the Nigerian Air Force routinely put their lives at risk in the service of the country, adding that the sacrifices of those who died would not be forgotten.

    The crash has prompted ongoing efforts by relevant authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and provide further information on the victims.

  • NAF Launches Search For Crew After ATR-42 Crash In Ondo

    NAF Launches Search For Crew After ATR-42 Crash In Ondo

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Nigerian Air Force has commenced a search and rescue operation following the crash of an ATR-42 aircraft in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.

    The aircraft was reportedly on a routine flight from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred on Monday.

    The NAF said its search and rescue teams were working with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies to locate the aircraft and determine the status of those on board.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

    He said the Air Force was committed to supporting the ongoing operation and ensuring that all necessary resources were deployed to the search and rescue effort.

    “Search and rescue operations, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, are currently ongoing,” the statement said.

    The NAF said further information on the incident would be released as the operation progresses.

    The number of people on board and their condition had not been officially disclosed as of the time of filing this report.

  • Nigerian Airforce Alpha Jet declared missing

     

    A Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet involved in the anti-terror war against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province has lost radar contact in Borno State.

     

    NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, in a statement on Thursday, said the incident happened on Wednesday evening.

     

    The statement was titled, ‘Nigerian Air Force Alpha-Jet Loses Radar Contact’.

     

    Gabkwet said though the whereabouts of the attack jet was unknown as of the time of filing this report, search and rescue efforts were ongoing.

     

     

     

    The NAF spokesman, however, did not disclose the number of officers onboard the yet-to-be-found jet.

     

    The statement read, “A Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet has lost contact with radar in Borno State, while on interdiction mission in support of ground troops. The mission was part of the ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the North East. The loss of radar contact occurred at about 5:08 pm on 31 March 2021.

     

    “Details of the whereabout of the aircraft or likely cause of contact loss are still sketchy but will be relayed to the general public as soon as they become clear. Meanwhile, search and rescue efforts are ongoing.”

     

    Speaking with The PUNCH, a former military airport commandant and an aviation security consultant, Group Captain John Ojikutu, said the jet must be missing, adding that when an aircraft loses radar and communication contact for more than 30 minutes, such aircraft must be declared missing.

     

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.punchng.com