Sowore Demands Independent Probe of Ondo Military Aircraft Crash

African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has demanded an independent investigation into the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, insisting that the inquiry should be conducted by experts independent of those responsible for the aircraft’s maintenance and procurement.

Sowore made the call during a visit to the crash site on Friday, where he assessed the scene and interacted with affected community members and grassroots leaders. He later shared a video of the visit on social media.

He criticised the handling of the wreckage and victims’ remains, arguing that all parts of the aircraft should be recovered, documented and examined by independent specialists to determine what caused the accident.

According to him, personnel involved in maintaining and procuring military aircraft should not be responsible for investigating the incident, as an independent process would help establish the facts and strengthen public confidence in the findings.

Sowore also questioned whether the recovery process was being conducted in a manner that would preserve critical evidence. He said the wreckage needed to be reconstructed and examined by experts to determine whether an explosion or another factor contributed to the crash.

He described the loss of lives as a serious tragedy that required more than official visits to the site, stressing that the investigation should prioritise the victims and their families.

The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, with registration number NAF 931, crashed in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, on October 5 while reportedly undertaking a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos.

The Air Force confirmed that all 25 people aboard the aircraft, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, died in the incident.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has said the military would conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that relevant evidence was secured, documented and examined before any conclusion was reached on the cause of the crash.

Sowore’s demand comes as recovery operations and investigations continue at the difficult, swampy crash site. The incident has also renewed calls for greater transparency in investigating military aviation accidents and establishing the circumstances surrounding the loss of lives.