Nigerian Air Force (NAF) don explain why the number of victims of the ATR 42 aircraft crash at Igbokoda, Ondo State, dey different. Dem talk say misunderstanding of civil and military aviation terminology make initial figure of 32 people show.
Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame give the clarification. E talk say the confusion come from how civil aviation air traffic controllers and military use the term “souls on board.”
Ejodame explain say civil aviation fit describe the number as “25 souls on board, inclusive of seven crew,” but military usage count the seven crew members inside the total figure of 25, instead of adding them to it.
He talk say: “For air traffic controllers, when dem normally communicate ‘25 souls on board inclusive of seven crew’, it is minus the seven. However, for the military, the seven dey inside the 25. E no mean say you add additional souls. In this case, there were 25 souls on board: five were active crew, then two were passengers, but dem be crew. So, seven crew na im dey on board reported, but only five dey flying at that time. The other two dey on board as passengers.”
The clarification follow earlier announcement by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, say 32 people comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members die for the crash. NAF later clarify say 25 people actually dey on board the aircraft, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers.
The aircraft, NAF 931, crash for Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State while e dey on routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos.
Keyamo talk say the aircraft disappear from radar around 9 a.m. local time, wey be 7 a.m. GMT, before dem later locate am after e crash about halfway through the journey. The wreckage dem find inside swamp near naval base, where e remain submerged as recovery operations continue.
NAF later release names of the 25 people on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers.
The five crew members na Squadron Leader MI Aburime, Flight Captain; Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje, Co-pilot; Flight Lieutenant IS Bako, Co-pilot; Warrant Officer Abubakar A, Aircraft Technician; and Corporal Uguru HC, Aircraft Technician.
The passengers na Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus; Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye; Flying Officer IM Adeshina; Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F; Master Warrant Officer Matini BA; Warrant Officer Nuhu FS; Flight Sergeant James RB; Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI; Sergeant Ani AE; Sergeant Izibenikien SI; Sergeant Alafuka C; Sergeant Mbadugha AN; Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC; Lance Corporal Eledan GE; Mrs Ezeh Nneka; Godstmine Tarabina; Joy Micheal; Sunday Micheal; Ukeme David; and Gideon Omotola.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, don express condolences to families of those who die for the accident. E describe the incident as deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the country.
NAF talk say search-and-rescue procedures activate immediately after the accident, with response efforts conducted in coordination with relevant authorities. Dem add say no survivor dem find.
On investigation, Ejodame talk say NAF dey rely on established aircraft accident investigation procedures rather than ad hoc process. He talk say Chief of the Air Staff direct comprehensive investigation into circumstances surrounding the crash, with board of inquiry or committee constituted for the purpose. According to am, findings go dey communicated by appropriate board or committee after preliminary report conclude.
NAF earlier urge members of public to refrain from speculation and circulation of unverified information while investigation continue. Dem also appeal to public to respect privacy and dignity of affected families.
A condolence register open for Headquarters of Nigerian Air Force in Abuja for senior government officials, members of diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers wey wan pay respects to deceased and sympathise with their families.
Aiyedatiwa visit site, e talk say aircraft’s main body never surface, and human parts dem recover.
