THE Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has recovered the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from the ATR-42 aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, as recovery operations and investigations into the accident continue.
In a statement released on Friday by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Ehimen Ejodame, an air commodore, the military also disclosed that part of the aircraft’s Flight Data Recorder (FDR), commonly referred to as the black box, had been recovered.
“The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has recorded further progress in the recovery and investigation of the ATR-42 aircraft accident in Igbokoda, Ondo State, with the recovery of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), confirmed intact by technical teams from the NAF and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB). Part of the Flight Data Recorder (FDR), commonly referred to as the black box, was also retrieved, while efforts to locate and recover its remaining portion continue,” he said.
NAF said that 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.
The ICIR reported that the NAF 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 crash 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 tragedy.
The ICIR reported that National Assembly called for a comprehensive audit of the serviceability and airworthiness of NAF aircrafts and investigation into funds allocated for their maintenance.
The Senate and House of Representatives raise concerns over recurring military aircraft a=ccidents, the safety of ageing fleets and the need to strengthen maintenance systems, operational safety protocols, and legislative oversight.
The 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.
NAF in its latest statement said that efforts were ongoing to locate and retrieve the remaining portion of the flight data recorder, noting that additional aircraft wreckage, engine components and human remains had also been recovered from the crash site, while operations continued in the difficult swamp terrain.
It added that the Directorate of Identification and Classification (DIC) was handling procedures for the proper identification of recovered human remains.
“The recovery process also involves careful attention to the proper handling of human remains, with the Directorate of Identification and Classification (DIC) undertaking the necessary procedures for proper identification. The NAF has sustained engagements with the families of the victims, recognising their need for information and support,” he explained.
It appealed for patience and understanding, noting that the recovery and investigation processes required time, careful coordination and professional attention.
The organisation said the investigation was being conducted with due diligence to ensure that its findings were comprehensive and evidence-based, adding that the ultimate objective was to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident and identify lessons that could strengthen flight safety and safeguard military personnel and citizens.
The ICIR reported that 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 and 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 recovery 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.
Nanji is an investigative journalist with the ICIR. She has years of experience in reporting and broadcasting human angle stories, gender inequalities, minority stories, and human rights issues. She has documented sexual war crimes in armed conflict, sex for grades in Nigerian Universities, harmful traditional practices and human trafficking.