NAF aircraft crash: More Nigerians mourn crew, passengers

By Lengnan Tobias

A sombre mood enveloped the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Abuja on Tuesday, as officers, airmen and civilian staff mourned 25 persons who died in the NAF 931 aircraft crash in Ondo State.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, had described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the NAF and the nation.

A look at tributes on the condolence register, showed heavy grief by serving and retired military officers and civilians who had paid tribute to the fallen heroes.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the development, Retired Air Vice Marshal Christian Chukwu said it was a mourning period for Nigerians.

“We are not happy, the military is not happy, and we pray for their souls to rest in peace.

“This is a very sad day for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation at large, and obviously a terrible feeling for the families of our friends, whom it is still very difficult to comprehend that we cannot see again,” he said.

Chukwu recalled that a similar incident occurred a few years ago and claimed the lives of over 160 officers.

He said the NAF had done its best in ensuring safety.

“I have attended safety seminars here, even in retirement almost every year, and the air force spends a lot on safety.

“We must not start speculating now. We should wait for the investigations to come out. But as far as I am concerned, I think the air force has done what is humanly possible in avoiding these type of things.

“But once in a while, they will come. If you go to the Remembrance Arcade there, you will see the list of people we have lost.

“It is a hazardous duty, so we should be ready for it. We should not pray for it to come, but when it comes, we should have the fortitude to accept it.

“So I really wish to extend my condolences to the Chief of the Air Staff, to President Bola Tinubu, because he too has done his best in getting the air force to fly better,” he said.

Similarly, a Military Contractor, Mr Ehije Balogun, described the incident as unfortunate, saying the loss was enormous.

“It is quite unfortunate. The lives lost are enormous, and our prayers go to the families and the Nigerian air force as a whole, and we pray that such should not happen again,” he said.

Balogun urged President Bola Tinubu to increase funding for the air force to enable it service its aircraft.

“My message is to Mr President to try and fund the air force more so that they have enough money to service their planes, even though we are not sure what caused the crash.

“The air force should be well-funded because they do most of the jobs. Apart from logistical jobs, they actually help in rescue operation, bombing of terrorists and the rest of it,” he said.(NAN)

Edited by Deborah Coker