NAF continues Igbokoda crash recovery, plans environmental assessment

The Nigerian Air Force says it is continuing recovery work at the site of an October 5 aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, and will consult environmental and public-health authorities after the operation to assess residents’ concerns. Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the NAF’s director of public relations and information, said the force was taking reports of an offensive odour and possible environmental effects seriously. He said assessments and any response to identified concerns would follow recovery of the wreckage. No assessment confirming pollution or health effects is included in the available information. The NAF said the main wreckage remains submerged and embedded in the riverbed. Multiple pumping machines have been deployed to remove water around the crash site and improve access, according to the force. Recovery teams are working with partner agencies under difficult underwater and terrain conditions, it said. The crash involved NAF 931, an aircraft carrying 25 people on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos. The NAF said all 25 people aboard died. Search and recovery efforts were activated after the aircraft went down in the swamp on October 5, and remained under...