Nigeria lawmakers seek probes and aircraft audits after crash

Nigeria’s House of Representatives and Senate have called for investigations and military aircraft audits after an Nigerian Air Force ATR42 crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on October 5, killing people aboard. The cause of the crash has not been established in the reports, and the inquiries are intended to examine the circumstances and aviation safety. The House called for an independent investigation to complement, not replace, the Nigerian Air Force’s own inquiry. It also urged the Ministry of Defence to audit military aircraft and equipment and called on the government to release approved maintenance funds on time. Lawmakers said aircraft upkeep, spare parts and operational resources were important to safety. The House referred its motion to its committees on Air Force, Aviation and Defence for further legislative action. It also urged the Air Force to strengthen maintenance and airworthiness procedures, particularly for ageing aircraft, and to deploy only aircraft meeting prescribed safety standards. The House called for posthumous commendations for the pilot and crew and welfare support for bereaved families.