The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has clarified that the investigation into the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, falls under military authority, while offering technical assistance if formally requested. The bureau's Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Captain Alex Badeh Jr, issued a statement on October 5, 2026, confirming the agency's readiness to support the Air Force with its Flight Safety Laboratory.
NSIB Clarifies Its Role in the Investigation
Captain Badeh Jr made clear that because the aircraft involved is a military asset, the responsibility for investigating the crash lies with the Nigerian Air Force, not the NSIB. The statement reads in part: "NSIB has received reports of an accident involving a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on 5 October 2026. The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred and that search and rescue operations have been activated and are ongoing, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies."
The aircraft was travelling on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred. The Air Force has since confirmed the incident and said search and rescue operations are active and being carried out alongside relevant authorities and emergency response teams.
Flight Safety Laboratory on Standby
Despite not leading the investigation, the NSIB said its Flight Safety Laboratory could be deployed to help recover and analyse flight data and cockpit voice recordings from the crashed aircraft. The bureau noted that this assistance would only be provided if the Nigerian Air Force makes a formal request for it.
The offer signals a collaborative approach between the civilian aviation safety body and the military as the Air Force works to determine the cause of the accident. The NSIB's readiness to assist underscores the importance of technical expertise in aviation accident investigations, even when jurisdiction rests with the military.
