Amphibious excavators have begun efforts to recover victims of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crash in the riverine area of Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The recovery operation commenced on Tuesday amid difficult terrain and challenging water conditions at the crash site.
Our Correspondent report that the joint operation was in collaboration with the men of the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Marine Police, Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), NSCDC, Amotekun, FRSC and other emergency responders.
The operation came more than 24 hours after the crash.
Addressing journalists in Igbokoda, the Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Felix Ohagwu, disclosed that there are no confirmed survivor yet.
Ohagwu said security agencies and emergency responders have intensified efforts to also recover the victims and wreckage.
He added that the rescuers had faced significant difficulties accessing the crash site because of the creeks and mangrove terrain.
“What happened yesterday was quite unfortunate. It’s a very difficult terrain, the creeks, mangroves. Assessing the site of the crash was not easy,” he said.
The police commissioner said he had to use a canoe to assess the site and commended officers and other security personnel who had been involved in the operation since the crash.
He said the recovery of the wreckage was still ongoing and that authorities were awaiting additional technical support and heavier equipment capable of pulling the aircraft from the water.
He added that the police were expecting support from the National Emergency Management Agency and other relevant agencies.
Meanwhile, journalists attempting to access the crash site were allegedly prevented from covering the rescue operation.
Some journalists, particularly from Agency France-Presse (AFP) were reportedly arrested by military personnel, while others were barred from proceeding towards the crash location.
On Monday, the aircraft was conveying 32 people comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members when it crashed into a swampy river area in Igbokoda in the early hours of Monday.
In the meantime, State Commissioner for Health in the state, Banji Ajaka, said he spent hours at the site with the Commanding Officer of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Igbokoda, and local divers.
Mr Ajaka, who has been involved in the operation, said he had deployed medical personnel and ambulances from hospitals in Ilaje and Okitipupa Local Government Areas following Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s directive.
“I have been in the forest with CO FOB Igbokoda for search and rescue operation. I have deployed personnel and ambulances from all the hospitals in Ilaje and Okitipupa LGAs as directed by Mr Governor,” he said.
According to him, the crash site is about 500 metres east of the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
He criticised the circulation of unverified videos and information about the crash, saying some people posting footage online were not close to the actual crash site.
The commissioner described the incident as a national disaster and urged the public not to politicise it or circulate unverified information.
“This is a national disaster that we shouldn’t play politics with. Please let’s tarry and wait for verified information,” he said.
Ajaka said the search and rescue operation would continue with the deployment of swamp buggies and other specialised equipment.
He also commended the FOB commander and his personnel, as well as medical workers from the State Specialist Hospital, Okitipupa; General Hospital, Igbokoda; Comprehensive Health Centre, Igbokoda, and others involved in the operation.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
