The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has ordered stricter flight safety monitoring across its operations following the October 5 crash of an ATR 42-500 aircraft, NAF 931, as search and recovery teams continue efforts to retrieve aircraft components and preserve evidence at the accident site in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Chief of the Air Staff, issued the directive on Wednesday, October 14, during a meeting with senior commanders, including branch chiefs, Air Officers Commanding and principal staff officers, stressing that operational effectiveness must be matched by strict adherence to safety procedures and professional standards.
The directive comes as a constituted investigation board begins examining the circumstances surrounding the accident, with the Air Force pledging to establish the facts through a systematic assessment of technical evidence, operational records and other relevant information.
Aneke expressed sorrow over the loss of personnel in the crash, acknowledging the grief of affected families and the wider Air Force community. He said the tragedy underscored the need for sustained vigilance, sound professional judgment and stronger institutional accountability in military aviation.
Under the new directive, commanders are to intensify oversight of aircraft airworthiness, maintenance quality assurance, operational procedures and aircrew competence. They are also expected to strengthen proactive safety monitoring, ensure prompt reporting of potential hazards and implement appropriate measures to prevent avoidable risks.
The Air Chief emphasised that flight safety was a shared command responsibility requiring continuous supervision rather than reliance on established procedures alone.
He also pointed to investments in personnel training, aircraft spare parts and maintenance resources, noting the importance of ensuring that such investments translate into improved airworthiness and operational readiness.
Meanwhile, recovery operations at the crash site in Igbokoda are continuing with specialist personnel and equipment from relevant agencies deployed to support the search.
Air Vice Marshal EOE Ebiowe, head of the Recovery and Investigation Team, said the operation had involved extensive mud excavation and water pumping to provide access to areas of interest.
The recovery effort has also received support from satellite-based search and rescue imagery, the Nigerian Navy’s hydrographic survey team and divers, as well as divers from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
According to the Air Force, additional aircraft components have been recovered, documented and preserved for examination as part of the investigation.
The recovery and preservation of these components are expected to contribute to the technical assessment of the accident, although the cause has not yet been established.
Aneke has directed relevant units and branches to preserve all available evidence, submit necessary records and cooperate fully with the investigation board.
The Air Force has urged the public to avoid speculation about the cause of the crash, maintaining that conclusions should be based on evidence gathered through the formal investigative process.
The outcome of the investigation could inform further safety measures, particularly in aircraft maintenance, operational procedures, personnel training and the management of aviation risks across the service.
The NAF said it remained committed to supporting affected families and implementing appropriate recommendations arising from the investigation, with personnel protection and the safety of future air operations identified as overriding priorities.
The directive places renewed emphasis on the relationship between operational readiness and safety accountability, as the military works to establish what happened to NAF 931 and determine whether additional safeguards are required to reduce the risk of similar accidents.
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