The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the military aircraft crash that occurred in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Recovery operations and preliminary investigations are also ongoing at the crash site, where the aircraft reportedly plunged into a swampy area.

A military source said a board of inquiry had been activated as part of the established procedure for investigating aircraft accidents.

The source explained that the Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation traditionally chairs the inquiry, while specialists involved in the recovery operation are expected to contribute to the investigation.

According to the source, recovery teams are yet to retrieve all the bodies due to the difficult terrain and dense vegetation at the crash site.

The source said a private construction company had deployed specialised floating equipment to clear the thick vegetation and create access for the recovery team to reach and extract the aircraft’s fuselage.

The military official said the aircraft was deeply submerged in the swamp, adding that the clearing operation must be completed before heavy equipment could be deployed to recover the fuselage and other materials.

Meanwhile, the NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed that a comprehensive investigation had commenced on the directive of the Chief of the Air Staff.

He explained that the Air Force follows established aircraft accident investigation procedures, stressing that the outcome of the investigation would be made public after the preliminary report is concluded.

Air Commodore Ejodame also clarified reports concerning the number of people aboard the aircraft, saying the phrase “25 souls on board, inclusive of seven crew” had been misunderstood.

He explained that the seven crew members were already included in the figure of 25 and should not be added separately.

According to him, there were 25 people on board, comprising five active crew members and two other crew members who were travelling as passengers.

The NAF spokesman also dismissed speculation concerning the age and airworthiness of the aircraft, while the military source described it as a relatively modern aircraft acquired around 2010 and maintained in line with operational requirements.

The recovery operation and investigation are continuing at the crash site.