Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has described the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area, as a national tragedy.

The Governor, who visited the crash site alongside officials of the Nigerian Navy, Air Force, NEMA and the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency, said no survivor had so far been found among the 32 people believed to have been on board the aircraft.

He said parts of bodies, military clothing and fragments of the aircraft had been recovered from the crash site.

ORANGE FM’s Olumide Adeluwoye reports that after receiving a briefing from the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Igbokoda, Captain Andy Alemongwa, Governor Aiyedatiwa moved by boat to the crash site alongside officers of the Nigerian Navy.

Speaking to newsmen after inspecting the scene, the Governor said the main body of the aircraft remained submerged in the swamp.

He explained that two amphibious machines, popularly known as swamp buggies, had been deployed to the site to create wider access and support the ongoing search and recovery operation.

Governor Aiyedatiwa commiserated with President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Air Force and families of the military personnel who lost their lives in the crash.

He also thanked God that the aircraft did not crash directly into the community, noting that the pilot appeared to have manoeuvred the aircraft away from the populated area before it went into the swamp.

The Governor described the crash site as a gory scene, adding that aviation fuel had polluted parts of the surrounding water.

He said search and recovery efforts would continue, while praying for the repose of the souls of those who died in the crash.