Residents of Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have recounted their unsuccessful efforts to reach occupants of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft that crashed in the community on Monday.

The aircraft, identified as NAF 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed in a swampy area near the Naval Base in Igbokoda. The difficult terrain reportedly made it extremely challenging for residents and emergency responders to reach the wreckage.

One of the residents, Jomiloju, said he heard a loud noise while preparing to have his bath and immediately rushed outside with other residents to determine what had happened. He said residents later used canoes to reach the area but found much of the aircraft buried deep in the swamp.

According to him, the community members could not reach the occupants and eventually returned to the riverbank, while naval personnel and police officers also arrived at the scene in speedboats. Another resident, identified as Lucky, said both men and women in the community attempted to access the crash site but were prevented by the depth and difficult nature of the swamp.

A third resident, Bolajoko Ayeni, said community members reached the area shortly after the crash and saw parts of the wreckage and what appeared to be human remains, but were unable to carry out a rescue. The accounts highlight the challenges faced by responders because of the waterlogged terrain and narrow waterways around the crash site.

The Ondo State Government has since deployed swamp buggies to support recovery efforts, while agencies including the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, National Emergency Management Agency and the State Emergency Management Agency have been involved in the operation. Local residents have also assisted responders in navigating the difficult terrain.

The Nigerian Air Force later confirmed that all 25 people aboard the aircraft 20 passengers and five crew members died in the crash. Earlier information from Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo had put the number of people aboard at 32, creating a discrepancy that has been reported by major international news agencies. President Bola Tinubu has ordered an investigation into the crash, while recovery efforts continue at the site.