Residents of Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, have described how difficult terrain prevented them from saving victims of the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in the community.
The residents said they were alerted by the sound of the crash and immediately moved towards the area where the aircraft went down, hoping to assist those on board.
A resident, Jomiloju, said the crash occurred amid light rainfall, adding that the impact created panic and drew residents from nearby areas to the scene.
He said some residents used canoes to navigate the waterways towards the crash location but found the aircraft deeply lodged in the swamp.
According to him, the wreckage was visible from the water, but the condition of the terrain made it impossible for the residents to get close enough to rescue anyone.
Another resident, Lucky, said the community members, including men and women, made determined efforts to reach the crash site but were eventually forced to abandon the attempt.
He explained that the depth of the swamp and the position of the aircraft made any immediate rescue effort extremely difficult.
Also speaking, Bolajoko Ayeni said residents who arrived at the scene could only observe and record the wreckage before returning, as the crash site was inaccessible on foot.
