The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has recovered the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from the ATR-42 aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, marking a significant step forward in the ongoing recovery operation and investigation into the accident.
In a statement issued on Friday, the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed that technical teams from the NAF and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed the CVR was recovered intact. He also announced that part of the aircraft’s Flight Data Recorder (FDR), commonly known as the black box, had been retrieved, while efforts to locate and recover the remaining portion continue.
According to Ejodame, the operation involves hydrographic surveys, satellite-based search-and-rescue imagery, mud excavation and the pumping out of excess water to facilitate access to areas of interest.
All 25 Aboard Confirmed Dead
The NAF had earlier confirmed that all 25 personnel aboard its ATR 42-500 aircraft, NAF 931, were killed in the October 5, 2026, crash in Igbokoda. The victims comprised five crew members and 20 passengers.
The tragedy has renewed attention on the safety of Nigeria’s military aviation operations and the financial implications of losing aircraft that are often worth millions of dollars. President Bola Tinubu and the NAF had earlier ordered comprehensive investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The National Assembly has also called for a comprehensive audit of the serviceability and airworthiness of NAF aircraft, alongside an investigation into funds allocated for their maintenance. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives raised concerns over recurring military aircraft accidents, the safety of ageing fleets and the need to strengthen maintenance systems, operational safety protocols and legislative oversight. Lawmakers warned that a thorough probe was necessary to establish the causes of the crash, identify possible lapses and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Recovery Efforts in Difficult Terrain
In its latest statement, the NAF said efforts were ongoing to locate and retrieve the remaining portion of the flight data recorder. Additional aircraft wreckage, engine components and human remains had also been recovered from the crash site, while operations continued in the difficult swamp terrain.
The Directorate of Identification and Classification (DIC) is handling procedures for the proper identification of recovered human remains. The NAF said the recovery process involves careful attention to the proper handling of human remains, adding that it has sustained engagements with the families of the victims, recognising their need for information and support.
The service appealed for patience and understanding, noting that the recovery and investigation processes require time, careful coordination and professional attention. It said the investigation was being conducted with due diligence to ensure that its findings were comprehensive and evidence-based, with the ultimate objective of determining the circumstances surrounding the accident and identifying lessons that could strengthen flight safety and safeguard military personnel and citizens.
Timeline of the Recovery Operation
In the days after the crash, rescue teams struggled to locate the aircraft’s main wreckage, which was believed to have sunk deep into the swamp. Initial recovery efforts yielded human remains, clothing and fragments of the aircraft, while the main body remained submerged.
Two days after the tragedy, on October 7, the Nigerian Navy deployed specialised sonar-scanning equipment to map the underwater crash site and help locate the submerged aircraft. The operation subsequently involved hydrographic surveys, satellite-based search imagery, mud excavation and the deployment of swamp buggies to create access routes to the wreckage.
By October 14, the NAF announced the recovery of additional aircraft components, with specialist divers continuing underwater searches to retrieve materials needed for the investigation. The operation was further intensified through the deployment of pumping machines to remove water around the submerged wreckage. By October 19, the NAF said continuous pumping had significantly reduced the water level, while engineers reinforced the embankment with sandbags to prevent collapse and facilitate access to the remaining wreckage.
