The Nigerian Navy has deployed specialised sonar equipment to locate a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft that crashed and became submerged in the swampy terrain of Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Key Highlights
- Nigerian Navy deploys sonar equipment to pinpoint the submerged NAF aircraft.
- The aircraft crashed on Monday in the swampy, riverine terrain of Igbokoda, Ondo State.
- High turbidity has made underwater visibility extremely poor, hampering recovery efforts.
- Nigerian Navy divers and NAF drone pilots are supporting the search and recovery operation.
- A swamp buggy and mechanised equipment are being deployed to improve access to the difficult crash site.
- Military formations, emergency agencies, security organisations and technical teams are working together to locate and recover the aircraft.
Navy Deploys Sonar To Locate Submerged NAF Aircraft
The sonar deployment followed an assessment of the crash site by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, and the Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, NAF, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdul Suleh.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, directed the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Department to deploy the specialised equipment as part of the multi-agency effort to locate and recover the aircraft.
The operation is being conducted in challenging swamp and riverine terrain, where difficult access and poor underwater visibility have complicated the recovery effort.
High Turbidity Hampers Underwater Search
The Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base, Igbokoda, Navy Captain Andy Alemongwa, said the sonar was deployed because high turbidity in the swamp had significantly reduced underwater visibility.
According to him, the technology would help the recovery team map the crash site and determine the precise location of the submerged aircraft.
The information generated by the sonar would provide critical guidance for divers and other technical personnel working to access and recover the aircraft.
“The operation is also being supported by Nigerian Navy divers and NAF drone pilots conducting searches across the surrounding mangrove and forested areas,” Alemongwa said.
Navy Divers, NAF Drones Support Recovery Operation
Mustapha and Suleh were received at the Forward Operating Base Officers’ Mess before travelling by boat to the crash site for an on-the-spot assessment.
The senior military officers assessed the difficult terrain and provided technical guidance on measures to accelerate the recovery of the submerged aircraft.
Mustapha also conveyed the appreciation of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and other service chiefs to the Ondo State Government, host communities, emergency agencies and other stakeholders supporting the operation.
He urged all stakeholders to remain calm and continue cooperating with the agencies involved in the recovery effort.
Read also:
- NAF Plane Crash in Ondo: Swampy Terrain Stalls Recovery as 25 Victims Remain Unrecovered
- Ondo Deploys Swamp Buggies to Recover NAF Crash Victims in Igbokoda
- NAF Confirms ATR-42 Aircraft Crash in Ondo, Launches Search and Rescue Operation
Swamp Buggy Deployed To Improve Access To Crash Site
The naval commander commended Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as well as Hi-Tech and AUC Construction companies, for providing mechanised equipment to support the recovery operation.
A swamp buggy is also being deployed to facilitate excavation and movement through the difficult terrain surrounding the crash site.
Mustapha later inspected the swamp buggy launching point and interacted with the technical crew, urging them to intensify efforts to recover the aircraft.
Multi-Agency Team Intensifies NAF Aircraft Recovery Effort
The recovery operation involves military formations, emergency response agencies, security organisations, technical personnel and other stakeholders working jointly to locate, access and recover the submerged aircraft and its contents.
The deployment of sonar equipment is expected to provide the recovery teams with more accurate information about the aircraft’s underwater position and help guide subsequent recovery activities.
Authorities are continuing efforts at the crash site amid the challenging swampy environment in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
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