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The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced plans to hold a memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony on November 26 for personnel and other victims of the October 5 aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The ceremony will take place at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja, according to a statement issued on Sunday by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.
Ejodame said the event would provide an opportunity for bereaved families, colleagues, friends and members of the Air Force community to pay their last respects to those who died in the accident.
He described the ceremony as a formal expression of the Service’s respect and remembrance for the victims.
Meanwhile, the Air Force confirmed that it had recovered the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), alongside other aircraft fragments and relevant evidence, from the crash site.
Ejodame said data retrieved from the recorder was being analysed and was expected to contribute significantly to the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
He added that the investigation was progressing in collaboration with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The NAF spokesman also disclosed that recovery operations had yielded several human remains and aircraft fragments, while the identification of the recovered remains was ongoing.
He attributed the challenges encountered during the exercise to the swampy nature of the terrain and the depth to which some parts of the wreckage had penetrated the ground.
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According to him, the Service is also engaging relevant agencies to address environmental concerns arising from the recovery operation and ensure appropriate remediation.
The Air Force said it remained committed to supporting the bereaved families and ensuring that the investigation was conducted with professionalism, transparency and accountability.
It also appreciated the cooperation of relevant agencies, host communities and other stakeholders involved in the recovery and investigation efforts.
