To bolster ongoing recovery operations at the crash site of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Idi Abbas has deployed the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Department.
The deployment includes state-of-the-art sonar scanning equipment to obtain a clearer underwater picture of the mapped-out area, where visibility has been affected by the high turbidity of the swamp.
The Nigerian Navy Air Arm is also continuing its aerial support for the recovery operation as efforts intensify to locate and retrieve the submerged aircraft.
Meanwhile, the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, and the Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdul Suleh, have inspected the crash site as part of ongoing efforts to coordinate the recovery operation.
The assessment visit, which took place on October 6, 2026, followed the crash involving the NAF ATR-42 aircraft with tail number NAF 931.
The delegation was received at the Officers’ Mess of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Igbokoda, by the Commanding Officer, Navy Captain Andy Alemongwa, before proceeding to the base where government officials, community leaders, emergency management agencies and other stakeholders gathered to express their condolences and support for the Armed Forces.
Those present included the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, the Commissioners for Health and Environment, representatives of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Nigerian Red Cross Society and National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), alongside personnel of other security agencies.
Rear Admiral Mustapha conveyed the appreciation of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Service Chiefs to the Ondo State Government, communities, emergency agencies and other stakeholders for their support since the incident occurred.
He urged stakeholders to remain calm and continue to cooperate with the various agencies involved in the recovery operation.
The FOC also expressed appreciation to Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, as well as Hi-Tech and AUC Construction companies, for providing mechanised equipment to support the recovery efforts.
The delegation, accompanied by selected stakeholders, subsequently travelled by boat to the crash site for an on-the-spot assessment of the ongoing operation.
At the site, the team assessed the situation and provided technical guidance aimed at facilitating the timely recovery of the submerged aircraft and its contents. As part of the renewed recovery efforts, an underwater survey using side-scan sonar equipment was commenced to map the crash location and determine the position of the submerged aircraft.
The sonar survey is expected to assist divers and other technical personnel in identifying the aircraft’s location and planning subsequent recovery operations, including the deployment of a swamp buggy to facilitate excavation in the difficult terrain.
The operation has also been reinforced with Nigerian Navy divers and Nigerian Air Force drone pilots using specialised equipment to conduct precise searches across the surrounding mangrove and forested areas.
The team later visited the swamp buggy launching point, where Rear Admiral Mustapha interacted with the technical crew and encouraged them to intensify efforts towards the prompt execution of the recovery operation.
The recovery operation involves the collaboration of military formations, emergency response agencies, security organisations, technical personnel and other stakeholders working to recover the submerged aircraft and its contents.
What You Should Know
The Nigerian military and emergency response teams are ramping up joint efforts to retrieve a submerged Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft that crashed in the swampy terrain of Igbokoda, Ondo State. By deploying advanced sonar scanning equipment and specialized naval divers, authorities hope to accurately map out the underwater wreckage despite difficult visibility conditions.
- Positive Impact: The deployment of cutting-edge technology and inter-agency collaboration demonstrates a high level of preparedness and commitment by the armed forces to resolve emergency situations effectively and support local communities.
- Potential Concerns: The difficult swamp terrain, high water turbidity, and complex underwater recovery operations pose ongoing logistical challenges and safety risks for technical personnel involved in the mission.
