NAF Announces November 26 Memorial for Aircraft Crash Victims
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced plans to hold a memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony on November 26 in honour of victims of the NAF 931 aircraft crash.
The ceremony will take place at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja, providing an opportunity for bereaved families, colleagues, friends and members of the Air Force community to pay their final respects to the deceased.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.
Ejodame said the ceremony would reflect the Service’s enduring respect for the fallen personnel and provide an avenue for their loved ones to remember them.
He also disclosed that the Air Force had recovered the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), aircraft fragments and other relevant evidence from the crash site in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
According to him, data retrieved from the recorder is currently being analysed and is expected to contribute significantly to the ongoing investigation into the October 5 accident.
He explained that the investigation was progressing in collaboration with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The NAF spokesperson reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to ensuring a thorough investigation guided by professionalism, transparency and accountability, while supporting independent technical processes to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Ejodame further revealed that recovery operations had yielded several human remains and aircraft fragments, adding that efforts to identify the recovered remains were ongoing.
He attributed some of the challenges confronting the operation to the swampy nature of the crash site and the depth at which parts of the wreckage had become embedded in the ground.
He added that the Air Force was working with relevant agencies to address environmental concerns arising from the recovery exercise, with appropriate remediation measures to be implemented after the operation.
The NAF expressed sympathy with the bereaved families, assuring them of continued support throughout the difficult period.
It also commended relevant government agencies, host communities and other stakeholders for their cooperation and assistance with the recovery and investigation efforts.
The Service reiterated its commitment to completing the investigation, ensuring responsible environmental management and preserving the memory of those who lost their lives in the tragic incident.
