Igbokoda Monarch Praises Pilot for Averting Greater Disaster

On October 5, a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, registration number NAF 931, crashed in a swampy area near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, during a routine mission from Benin to Lagos. The crash resulted in the deaths of all 25 individuals on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers.

Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, the traditional ruler of Igbokoda, commended the pilot for his actions, which he believes prevented a greater disaster had the aircraft fallen within the town. President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning and ordered a thorough investigation into the crash.

The community expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life, with residents mobilizing to the crash site immediately after witnessing the incident. Two fishermen in the area escaped unharmed and assisted in locating the wreckage.

Initial efforts by residents aimed to rescue potential survivors, but they only found remnants of the aircraft.