NAF Air Crash: Reps seek independent probe, audit of military aircraft after fatal crash
The House mandated its committees on Air Force, Aviation and Defence to investigate the fatal military aircraft crash in Ondo State, following concerns about aircraft safety, maintenance and funding. The post NAF Air…
The Nigerian Air Force has recorded a string of training and operational aircraft crashes over the past decade, often blamed on ageing fleets, poor maintenance culture and funding shortfalls, raising recurring questions about the airworthiness of military hardware. Each incident typically triggers an internal NAF board of inquiry, but lawmakers and safety advocates have long argued that military-led investigations lack the independence needed to identify systemic failures, especially around procurement, spare parts and pilot training standards.
The latest crash in Ondo State has reignited that debate, with the House of Representatives directing its committees on Air Force, Aviation and Defence to look into the circumstances and push for a broader audit of military aircraft. What remains unclear from the coverage so far is the scope and timeline of the probe, who will be held accountable if lapses are found, and how the National Assembly's findings will interact with any parallel NAF investigation into the incident.