EXCLUSIVE: No terrorist attack behind NAF plane crash in Ondo — Security sources

By Raphael Jackson –

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft which crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday was neither brought down nor linked to terrorism, security sources have told Western Post.

The sources said the crash involving the NAF 931 ATR 42 aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was an accident and dismissed speculations in some quarters that the aircraft may have been attacked or brought down by terrorists.

According to the sources, the pilot, Squadron Leader MI Aburime, appeared to have encountered trouble with the aircraft and struggled to find a safe location to make an emergency landing.

“The captain did not want to land the plane in an inhabited area,” one of the sources said.

The source added that Aburime was searching for a river where he could land the aircraft and believed he had identified one close to a naval base.

“He was looking for a river. He thought he found one near the naval base. Alas, it was a swamp,” the source said.

The source said the pilot’s attempt to avoid crashing into an inhabited area may have contributed to the loss of lives and extensive damage to the aircraft. A total of 25 passengers and seven crew members were killed in the crash.

The NAF aircraft was reportedly on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred on Monday.