The Senate has moved to demand answers from the Nigerian Air Force over the circumstances surrounding the crash of an aircraft carrying 32 people, as search-and-rescue efforts continued at Igbokoda.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Air Force, Senator Osita Ngwu, said the committee would seek a comprehensive briefing from the military authorities on what happened to the aircraft during its routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
Ngwu’s intervention came as the Nigerian Air Force and other emergency agencies intensified efforts to locate and assist occupants of the aircraft following the crash.
In a statement on Monday, the senator said the Senate committee would closely monitor both the rescue operation and the investigation that would follow, stressing the need for relevant authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He described the crash as a major national loss and said the fate of the military personnel and other occupants on board remained a matter of serious concern.
Rather than speculate on the cause of the accident or the condition of those on board, Ngwu urged Nigerians to depend on information released by the Nigerian Air Force and other competent authorities as the operation continued.
He commended the Air Force, first responders and other emergency agencies involved in the search-and-rescue mission, urging them to sustain their efforts and provide immediate assistance to those affected.
The Senate committee chairman said the planned engagement with the Air Force leadership would enable lawmakers to obtain a full account of the incident, including the circumstances leading to the crash.
He said the committee would remain engaged with the authorities as efforts continued to establish the situation at the crash site and account for those aboard the aircraft.
Ngwu also appealed to members of the public to remain calm and avoid relying on unverified reports concerning the incident.
He extended the committee’s condolences to the Chief of the Air Staff, officers and personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, as well as families and loved ones affected by the crash.
“This is a huge loss to our nation,” Ngwu said, assuring the Air Force and affected families of the Senate committee’s solidarity.
He prayed for the repose of those who may have lost their lives and for strength for their families, colleagues and loved ones at the difficult time.
