The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has directed tighter flight safety oversight across the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) following the October 5, 2026, accident involving its ATR 42-500 aircraft, NAF 931.
In a statement, Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the directive is aimed at strengthening aircraft airworthiness, maintenance standards, operational discipline and accountability while search and recovery operations continue at the accident site in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
Aneke issued the directive on October 14 during a meeting with Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding (AOCs), Principal Staff Officers and other senior commanders, where he stressed the need for strict compliance with established procedures and continuous improvement in flight safety management.
Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of personnel in the accident, the CAS acknowledged the grief of the bereaved families and the wider NAF community, assuring that the protection of personnel and the preservation of professional standards remained central to the Service’s operations.
He emphasised that operational effectiveness must be built on sound judgement, professional discipline and strict adherence to the highest flight safety standards.
Consequently, the Air Chief directed commanders to sustain rigorous oversight of aircraft airworthiness, maintenance quality assurance, operational procedures and aircrew competence.
He also called for proactive safety monitoring, prompt reporting of potential hazards and the effective implementation of preventive measures, stressing that flight safety was a collective responsibility requiring vigilance at every level of command.
Aneke further noted that substantial resources had been committed to personnel training, aircraft spare parts and maintenance support to sustain airworthiness and operational readiness.
Meanwhile, search and recovery operations at the crash site in Igbokoda are continuing, with specialist personnel and equipment deployed by relevant agencies to support the exercise.
The Head of the Recovery and Investigation Team, Air Vice Marshal EOE Ebiowe, disclosed that the operation had involved extensive excavation of mud and water pumping to gain access to relevant areas of the site.
He said satellite-based search and rescue imagery had been deployed alongside support from the Nigerian Navy’s hydrographic survey team and divers, as well as divers from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
Additional aircraft components have also been recovered, documented and preserved for examination as part of the ongoing investigation.
The constituted investigation board has commenced work to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident through a systematic assessment of available evidence, technical information and relevant records.
To safeguard the integrity of the process, the CAS has directed all relevant units and branches to preserve evidence, provide necessary documentation and cooperate fully with the investigation.
The Air Force cautioned members of the public against speculation over the cause of the accident, insisting that conclusions would be based on the findings of the formal investigative process.
It reaffirmed its commitment to supporting affected families and implementing appropriate safety recommendations that may emerge from the investigation.
The Service said the overriding priorities remained the protection of personnel, accountability and the strengthening of safety measures to prevent future incidents.
