The Senate has directed its committees on Air Force and Aviation to conduct a comprehensive audit of Nigerian Air Force aircraft and investigate the adequacy of funds allocated for their maintenance following the October 5 crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The lawmakers also urged the Federal Government to prioritise regular aircraft maintenance and the replacement of ageing military aircraft amid concerns over recurring aviation accidents involving military personnel.
The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Senator Osita Ngwu, representing Enugu West, on the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
According to details presented to the Senate, the aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was travelling from Benin City to Lagos when the incident occurred. The motion stated that it was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members.
The Senate was informed that air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft at about 9:13 am, while attempts to reach the crew by radio were unsuccessful. A subsequent search-and-rescue operation led to the discovery of the wreckage.
Expressing concern over the incident, the lawmakers raised questions about the condition of military aircraft, maintenance procedures, ageing fleets, operational safety and compliance with airworthiness requirements.
They warned that failure to establish the immediate and underlying causes of the crash could undermine efforts to prevent similar incidents.
As part of its resolutions, the Senate mandated the relevant committees to visit the crash site, engage Nigerian Air Force authorities and assess the serviceability and airworthiness of aircraft in the presidential and military fleets.
It also called on the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the crash and make their findings public.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North, called for a detailed assessment of aircraft operated by the Air Force.
“Conduct a comprehensive audit of aircraft in the NAF fleet,” Monguno said, adding that the exercise should establish their serviceability, operational readiness and airworthiness to prevent a recurrence.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, proposed an additional resolution directing the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force to submit its aircraft maintenance budgetary provisions to the relevant Senate committee.
Oshiomhole said the lawmakers needed to establish the amount provided for aircraft maintenance.
Supporting the proposal, Senator Titus Zam, representing Benue North-West, said the investigation should determine whether the funding available to the Air Force was sufficient.
“The inquiry should determine the amount allocated to the Air Force for maintenance and whether the funding was sufficient to prevent the incident,” Zam said.
The Senate also observed a minute’s silence in honour of the victims and extended condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of the Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force, the Ondo State Government and the families of those who died.
The proposed audit is expected to examine both the technical condition of military aircraft and the adequacy of maintenance funding as the lawmakers seek measures to improve aviation safety and prevent future tragedies.
