• Orders airworthiness checks, maintenance review of aircraft
• Aiyedatiwa orders fumigation of Igbokoda river to avert disease outbreak
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has recovered additional components from the site of its ATR 42-500 aircraft accident in Igbokoda, Ondo State, as specialist divers from the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) sustain underwater search and recovery operations.
The Air Force disclosed this in a post on its official X handle yesterday.
The NAF said the multi-agency teams were maintaining round-the-clock efforts to retrieve relevant aircraft materials for documentation and preservation in support of the ongoing investigation.
According to it, the operation involves underwater searches supported by hydrographic surveys, satellite-based search-and-rescue imagery, mud excavation and pumping out of excess water to facilitate access to relevant areas.
It said specialist divers from the Navy and NSIB were continuing the search, while additional aircraft components had been recovered from the accident site.
MEANWHILE, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has ordered the immediate fumigation of the river at Igbokoda following complaints of offensive odour and concerns about possible pollution after last week’s Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash
The directive was disclosed in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku.
According to the statement, the governor directed the Ministries of the Environment and Health to jointly carry out an extensive fumigation exercise to reduce potential health risks and prevent possible outbreaks of water-borne diseases.
HOWEVER, the NAF has ordered strengthened flight safety oversight, including rigorous checks on aircraft airworthiness, maintenance quality and aircrew competence, following the crash involving its ATR 42-500 aircraft.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, gave the directive at a meeting with branch chiefs, air officers commanding and other senior commanders.
According to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the meeting focused on adherence to established procedures, professional discipline and continuous improvement in flight safety management.
