On Monday, a Nigerian Air Force ATR‑42 transport aircraft (registration NGR 931) crashed into the swampy terrain of Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area in Ondo State, killing all 25 crew members and passengers on board. More than 24 hours after the accident, the recovery of the wreckage and the evacuation of victims’ remains remain stalled because the aircraft is deeply submerged in mangrove‑filled waters.
The crash site lies about 500 metres east of a naval base and has been cordoned off by the Navy. Journalists were denied entry, and several television reporters were arrested for attempting to access the area without clearance. Thick mangroves and murky water have also hampered the retrieval of the aircraft’s black‑box recorders, which have yet to be recovered.
State Police Commissioner Felix Ohagwu described the location as “very challenging” and said he had to use a canoe to reach the site. He thanked the Office of the Chief of Army Staff, the Marine unit and the Divisional Police Officer of Igbokoda for their support, and noted that recovery is ongoing while “technical support is being awaited.” The police command is waiting for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other agencies to provide heavy equipment capable of pulling the wreckage from the swamp.
Ondo State Health Commissioner Dr Banji Ajaka said he was on the ground with the commanding officer of the Forward Operating Base at Igbokoda, supervising the operation. He confirmed that ambulances and medical personnel from hospitals in Ilaje and Okitipupa LGAs were deployed on the directive of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. Ajaka urged the public not to politicise the tragedy and to refrain from spreading unverified information, adding that swamp buggies and additional rescue equipment would be deployed the following day.
Local residents who rushed to the scene reported that the aircraft was buried deep in the swamp, making direct rescue impossible. One diver, who identified himself as Jomiloju, said, “We had to sail in canoes to get a glimpse of the crashed plane, but the larger part of the plane was deep inside the swamp.” Another resident, Lucky, echoed the sentiment, stating that men and women used their canoes to try to rescue occupants but were unable to reach them. Bolajoko Ayeni added that they only managed to capture video footage after
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
