The Nigerian Air Force has recovered a Cockpit Voice Recorder at the scene of the ATR 42 aircraft accident in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The recovery marks further progress in the investigation into the crash that claimed 25 lives.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja. He said the Cockpit Voice Recorder was confirmed intact by technical teams from the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau.

He said part of the Flight Data Recorder, commonly referred to as black box, was also retrieved, while efforts to locate and recover its remaining portion continued. He added that additional aircraft wreckage, engine components and human remains have also been recovered from the swampy crash site.

Operations are ongoing in challenging swamp terrain, with teams working to retrieve outstanding components and facilitate necessary technical examinations. The Air Force said the investigation is being conducted with due diligence to ensure comprehensive, evidence based findings.

The Directorate of Identification and Classification is undertaking the necessary procedures for proper identification of recovered human remains. The Air Force said it will continue to update the public as recovery and investigation progress.

PUNCH Online reported on October 5, 2026, that a Nigerian Air Force ATR 42 aircraft, with registration number NAF 931, crashed in a swampy area near Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, while on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos. All 25 people on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, died in the accident.

The flight recorders are considered crucial to the investigation because they could provide vital information about the aircraft final moments before the crash. The Flight Data Recorder stores technical information about the aircraft operation, while the Cockpit Voice Recorder captures cockpit communications and sounds.