NSIB Declines to Investigate Ondo Air Force Crash

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) stated it will not conduct an investigation into the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, unless formally invited by military authorities. This decision is based on the NSIB Establishment Act, 2022, which designates military aviation accident investigations to the relevant military authority.

The aircraft was involved in an accident while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos. The Nigerian Air Force confirmed the incident and initiated search and rescue operations in collaboration with relevant authorities.

Although the NSIB will not directly investigate, it is willing to offer technical assistance, including deploying investigators and utilizing its Flight Safety Laboratory for data recovery and analysis. The bureau expressed condolences to the Nigerian Air Force and the families of those affected, commending first responders and urging the public to rely on official information from the Nigerian Air Force regarding the incident.