The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has assured Nigerians that the Nigerian Air Force will leave no stone unturned in unraveling the circumstances surrounding the aircraft crash in Ondo State.
Aneke gave the assurance on Thursday while addressing journalists on the incident, as he expressed condolences to the families of the victims, the Nigerian Air Force and Nigerians over the tragedy.
The Air Chief said a specialised team comprising military and civilian aviation safety experts had been constituted to conduct a thorough investigation and determine what led to the crash.
He said the incident was particularly painful to him because he personally knew everyone on board the aircraft, including the crew.
“I basically knew everyone on that flight. I’ve flown on this airplane. My family has flown on the plane. I know each of the crew personally. They were highly trained, professional and intelligent officers,” Aneke said.
He described the victims as professionals who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the country, adding that their contributions must be honoured.
“The best we can do is to honour the sacrifice they have made with those on board this aircraft.
“I want to assure the families of our loved ones that the Nigerian Air Force will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that whatever happened here is properly investigated,” he said.
Aneke said he had directed the safety and evaluation authorities of the NAF to assemble a high-level investigation team comprising serving and retired military personnel, civilian safety experts and other experienced professionals.
“I have tasked my standard of safety and evaluation to come up with a high-level delegation comprising both military and civilian safety experts, retired senior officers and experienced officers, to sit down and get to the bottom of what happened,” he said.
The Chief of Air Staff also urged Nigerians to refrain from speculation over the cause of the crash, saying the circumstances surrounding the tragedy should be established through a professional and evidence-based investigation.
“This is not the time to start stipulating and agreeing with the general public who’ve lost people who are fighting for the nation.
“The best you can do for them is to be really patient and let those who are specialists get to the bottom of what has happened,” Aneke said.
