…Seeks sustained cooperation

The Nigerian Navy has reaffirmed its commitment to the ongoing search and recovery operation at the site of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Abubakar Mustapha, reiterated this while conducting an on-the-spot assessment of the exercise to evaluate progress and identify operational hurdles.

While speaking at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Mustapha Harper spoke on the military’s coordinated approach to the recovery mission, which he said has drawn participation from multiple agencies and private sector partners.

Mustapha, who was received at the base by the Commanding Officer, alongside the Commander of 107 Air Maritime Group and the Commandant of the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Safety interacted with personnel and stakeholders directly involved in the search and recovery efforts.

The Naval Chief subsequently convened a meeting with representatives of Hi-Tech Construction Company, the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency (ODSEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other stakeholders.

The meeting was said to have provided a platform for participants to review the progress of the operation and deliberate on the challenges encountered since the exercise began.

The FOC commended the Ondo State Government and the Managing Director of Hi-Tech Construction Company, Mr. Danny Aboud, for their commitment to the operation, particularly the deployment of mechanized equipment suited to the difficult terrain of the crash site.

He emphasized that the continued cooperation and commitment of all stakeholders remained crucial to the successful completion of the recovery operation.

Following the meeting, Rear Admiral Mustapha and the stakeholders proceeded by boat to the crash site for a firsthand assessment of the operation, where he received updates from personnel directly involved in the operation.