The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, have agreed to strengthen collaboration between Nigeria’s civil and military aviation authorities following the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

The agreement was reached on Wednesday when Keyamo paid a condolence visit to the Chief of Air Staff following the tragic incident.

According to a statement by the minister’s media aide, Tunde Moshood, Keyamo signed the condolence register before holding a private meeting with Aneke. The two officials later addressed journalists on plans to deepen cooperation between the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Air Force.

Keyamo described the crash as a national tragedy and expressed sympathy with the Air Force, while commending the courage and sacrifice of its personnel.

“We value the Air Force. We value the efforts of the gallant men and women of the Air Force and what they do for the country,” the minister said.

He said the incident had highlighted the need to strengthen the relationship between civil and military aviation, noting that aviation accidents can affect personnel and passengers across both sectors.

According to him, the Nigerian Air Force already makes use of some elements of Nigeria’s civil aviation infrastructure, including air traffic control services, making closer cooperation on safety matters necessary.

Keyamo disclosed that he had contacted the Director-General of the NCAA and facilitated direct communication between the agency and the Chief of Air Staff.

“It is one country, one people. When disaster happens, it affects everybody. There were civilians in that air crash and when there’s an air crash in the civil aviation too, there can be military personnel. And so, it is important that we cooperate in the area of safety,” he said.

“We have decided that we will cooperate in terms of capacity building.”

Joint committee planned
As part of the new arrangement, Keyamo said a joint committee comprising officials of the NCAA and NAF would be established to promote cooperation in areas including airworthiness, certification, training and other aviation safety matters.

He stressed that the collaboration would respect the statutory responsibilities of both institutions.

The minister also offered Air Force personnel access to relevant training programmes organised by civil aviation authorities.

“There is no reason why we cannot take some names from the Air Force. We have a lot of training we go for, so there is no reason why we cannot,” Keyamo said.

He, however, emphasised that the proposed partnership would not be one-sided, noting that the military aviation sector also possesses specialised expertise that could benefit civil aviation.

“This is a kind of cross-pollination and symbiotic relationship we have decided to build for the safety of the lives of Nigerians,” he stated.

Air Chief welcomes collaboration
Aneke thanked the minister for the condolence visit and the support extended to the Nigerian Air Force following the crash.

The Chief of Air Staff said the visit reflected the growing relationship between Nigeria’s civil and military aviation sectors.

He disclosed that discussions were already underway on a framework that would enable civil aviation professionals to support the Air Force in areas such as airworthiness and certification, while military aviation personnel would also share their expertise with the civil aviation sector.

Aneke welcomed the training opportunities being offered to Air Force personnel, saying improved professional capacity would contribute to stronger aviation safety across the country.

He stressed that both institutions have a common responsibility to protect Nigerians, irrespective of whether they operate within the civil or military aviation space.

“We have both agreed that we need to move the aviation industry, whether military or civil, to a higher level.

“We are serving the same government; we are protecting the same Nigerians. So we are just a blend of each other,” the Air Chief said.

The planned collaboration comes against the backdrop of the Igbokoda aircraft crash and is expected to strengthen information sharing, technical capacity and safety practices between Nigeria’s civil and military aviation authorities.

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has ordered immediate medical intervention and urgent measures to address the impact of the oil spill along the Trans-Forcados Pipeline, assuring affected communities that his administration would not allow residents to suffer unnecessarily.

Oborevwori gave the directive on Tuesday during an inspection visit to Odidi community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state, where he expressed concern over the scale of the pollution and its effects on residents and their livelihoods.

The governor directed the State Commissioner for Health to immediately deploy medical teams to the affected communities to examine residents and determine the possible health implications of prolonged exposure to the pollution.

“We have to take this matter seriously. Once you see what is happening, you realise that it is a very big issue. We don’t want our people dying at this time. We cannot afford to lose our focus or waste time. We have to act quickly and decisively,” Oborevwori said.

He stressed that the state government’s intervention would not be limited to the distribution of relief materials, noting that residents needed proper medical assessments because of the potential health consequences of the pollution.

The governor also directed Heritage Energy to deploy a medical team to the affected communities and provide relief materials to residents.

According to him, the medical intervention would involve assessing the health and environmental impact of the spill and determining the appropriate measures required to address the situation.

He said the exercise would extend to other communities affected by the incident.

Oborevwori also called for genuine dialogue between the oil operator and the affected host communities, stressing that meaningful engagement was necessary to resolve the crisis and prevent further tension.

He assured the residents that the state government would continue engaging relevant stakeholders until their concerns were addressed, while commending security agencies for maintaining peace during the intervention.

The governor disclosed that the number of communities affected by the oil spill had increased significantly.

“While an initial assessment showed that about 86 communities were affected, the number had now risen to 216,” he said.

Oborevwori said the operating company had assured the government that the technical process would be concluded and the clean-up completed before the end of October.

He added that after the clean-up, the affected communities would be engaged on compensation and other measures required to address the consequences of the spill.

The governor warned that commitments made by the operating company must be honoured, adding that the state government would take necessary steps to ensure compliance.

He, however, appealed to residents of the affected communities to remain peaceful and law-abiding, assuring them that the government would pursue the matter through dialogue and due process.

Oil spill threatens livelihoods
Oborevwori lamented the severe impact of the pollution on fishing, which he identified as the major source of livelihood for many residents of the affected communities.

He said the disruption had resulted in scarcity of fish and contributed to increased prices, further worsening the economic difficulties faced by residents.

The governor said the crisis should not be viewed solely as an issue of compensation, stressing that the priority should also include restoring the environment, protecting human lives and safeguarding the livelihoods of affected residents.

As part of the intervention, Oborevwori approved the construction of a landing jetty for Odidi community.

He also directed the Chairman of Warri South-West Local Government Area to construct a modern health centre for the community.

The governor further directed the Commissioners for Oil and Gas, Chief Peter Uviejitobor, and Environment, Moses Ogodo, to monitor the implementation of the directives issued to the oil company and report back to him.

Heritage Energy promises clean-up
The General Manager, Operations Integrity, Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited, Nelson Wilbert, assured the state government and affected communities that the company was committed to working with all relevant stakeholders to resolve the crisis.

Wilbert said the company would work with the state government, host communities, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and other stakeholders to address the situation.

He identified the completion of ongoing technical operations as the company’s immediate priority.

According to him, the operations include installation work, stopping the spill and pressure testing, all of which are required to safely restore normal operations.

He added that Heritage Energy would work with regulatory authorities and affected communities to assess the environmental damage, clean up impacted areas and provide appropriate compensation.

Ijaw Youth Council demands urgent action
The President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Dr Doubra Okotete, called for urgent action to stop the pollution.

Okotete alleged that crude oil was still being pumped through leaking pipelines, and urged the authorities and oil operators to undertake comprehensive remediation of affected areas.

He also called for compensation for residents whose livelihoods had been affected by the pollution.

The Ijaw Youth Council president further demanded increased medical support for affected residents, particularly those experiencing respiratory problems.

The Chairman of Odidi Community, Truston Gbenekama, thanked the governor for visiting the community and appealed for the provision of a landing jetty, health centre and potable water.

He also called for the reclamation and restoration of the community’s environment, which he said had been affected by the oil pollution.

The state government’s directives come as affected communities await the completion of the technical intervention and subsequent clean-up exercise, with the governor insisting that the process must address both the immediate health concerns and the longer-term environmental and livelihood consequences of the spill.

Residents of a remote coastal fishing community in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, have recounted the terrifying moments surrounding the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft that claimed the lives of all 25 people on board.

The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 twin-engine turboprop aircraft crashed into a swampy area near a naval base on Monday, October 5, after reportedly departing Benin City for Lagos on a routine flight.

Locals who witnessed the incident said the aircraft was already engulfed in flames when it passed overhead before plunging into the swamp.

A villager and volunteer rescuer, Akinte Omoteremi Toluwalase, told AFP that residents were sitting outside when they suddenly heard a deafening sound.

“We were sitting outside…and we saw the plane overhead making a loud sound. We were scared. It was already engulfed in flames. And we saw it crash,” he said.

According to him, residents immediately mobilised and headed towards the crash site in boats in an attempt to assist possible survivors.

“Immediately we rushed down there in boats.

But by the time we got there, the plane had sunk into the swamp. We tried our best to see if we could rescue the people, to no avail,” Toluwalase said.

He added that residents saw debris and human remains floating in the water as they searched the area.

“We saw human body parts and scraps from the plane floating in the water,” he said.

No survivors recorded
The Nigerian Air Force later confirmed that there were no survivors from the crash.

Although the initial death toll was given as 32, authorities subsequently revised the figure to 25 people.

Some civilians were reportedly among those travelling on the aircraft.

Recovery operations continued on Tuesday, with emergency personnel and local volunteers working in the difficult swampy terrain to locate and recover the victims and wreckage.

Another resident, Owoyemi Oluwadamilare, said the incident was unlike anything he had previously witnessed.

“I have seen boat accidents on the creeks before, but I have never witnessed a plane crash before,” he said, adding that his previous experience of plane crashes had been through films.

Felisia Michel, another resident involved in the rescue effort, said the search teams had continued working without rest.

“The rescue team have not rested. They have been going about it since yesterday without rest to ensure they can bring the people in the plane out,” she said.

Investigation begins
Authorities have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The accident occurred around Igbokoda, a coastal town in Ilaje, an oil-producing area of Ondo State characterised by creeks, waterways and swampy terrain.

The difficult location of the crash has complicated recovery efforts, with local residents using boats to access parts of the site.

The incident is among Nigeria’s deadliest military aviation accidents in recent years.

In May 2021, former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, and 10 other military personnel were killed when a Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Kaduna airport in bad weather.

In August 2015, seven people were killed when a military aircraft crashed into a house in northern Nigeria.

The United States Embassy in Nigeria also expressed condolences following the latest tragedy, saying it stood with Nigerians and remained committed to the country’s security partnership.

As recovery operations continue, attention is expected to turn to the investigation into what caused the aircraft to crash and whether any technical, operational or environmental factors contributed to the tragedy.