The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed a specialised search-and-rescue team to strengthen efforts to locate and recover victims of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft that crashed near Igbokoda in Ondo State.
NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar, directed the agency’s Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Bature Usman, to lead a technical team to the crash site.
NEMA personnel were already at the scene working alongside other emergency responders before the specialised team was deployed.
Umar said the intervention was aimed at strengthening the response to the incident and ensuring that the necessary resources were provided to support the ongoing search and rescue operation.
“We commend the emergency responders for their prompt mobilisation following the crash, and NEMA will continue to provide the necessary support to strengthen the ongoing search and rescue operation,” she said.
The NEMA DG expressed sadness over the incident, describing it as a painful loss to the country and acknowledging the sacrifices made by Nigerian Air Force personnel in serving and defending Nigeria.
She extended her condolences to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the Nigerian Air Force family and the families affected by the crash.
