Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has recovered the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from the site of its aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, which claimed 25 lives.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
He said technical teams from the NAF and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau had confirmed that the recovered recorder was intact.
Ejodame added that part of the aircraft’s Flight Data Recorder, commonly known as the black box, had also been retrieved, while efforts were ongoing to recover the remaining portion.
He further disclosed that additional aircraft wreckage, engine components and human remains had been recovered from the crash site.
According to him, recovery operations are continuing despite the challenging swamp terrain, with teams working to retrieve outstanding components for technical examination.
The NAF spokesperson said the investigation was being conducted to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash and produce comprehensive, evidence-based findings.
He added that the Air Force was working with its Directorate of Identification and Classification to ensure the proper identification and handling of recovered human remains.
Ejodame also said the military had maintained contact with the victims’ families to provide necessary information and support, while engaging relevant authorities over environmental concerns raised by residents of the host community.
The aircraft, an ATR-42 with registration number NAF 931, crashed into a swamp near the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on October 5.
It was on a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos when the accident occurred, killing all 25 people on board, comprising 20 passengers and five crew members.
The Air Force said the recovered recorder and other aircraft components would assist investigators in determining the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
