The Nigerian Air Force has constituted a Board of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the military aircraft crash that occurred in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. The ATR-42 aircraft, with registration number NAF 931, crashed in a swampy area near the Naval Base on Monday while on a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos.

The probe, ordered following the tragic incident, is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash and identify measures to prevent similar occurrences. The NAF said a comprehensive investigation is already underway under the direction of the Chief of Air Staff, while the outcome of the preliminary findings will be communicated to the public.

Meanwhile, recovery operations remain ongoing at the difficult-to-access crash site. The main fuselage is believed to be submerged deep inside the swamp, while dense vegetation and challenging terrain have slowed efforts to recover the wreckage and remains of the victims. Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has ordered the deployment of amphibious swamp machines to improve access to the area.

The Nigerian Navy, Marine Police, Air Force, emergency management agencies and local divers are participating in the recovery operation. The Navy has also deployed specialised sonar equipment to scan the underwater area and assist teams in locating the submerged aircraft.

The crash claimed the lives of all 25 people on board, comprising 20 passengers and five crew members, according to the latest clarification from authorities. President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for the victims, while Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo and the Chief of Air Staff have agreed to strengthen cooperation between civil and military aviation authorities on airworthiness, training and safety standards

The Presidency has provided fresh details on the rescue of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, revealing that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation, while several others were neutralised.

According to an update from the Presidency, the eight suspects are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation and prosecution.

The Presidency also clarified that no ransom was paid and no concessions were made to secure the victims’ release.

It disclosed that the kidnappers had demanded the release of one of their leaders, a notorious kingpin currently facing prosecution for various criminal offences. However, the Federal Government rejected the demand, insisting that the suspect would continue to face the full weight of the law.

The successful rescue operation was carried out by security agencies, who secured the freedom of all the abducted pupils and teachers without yielding to the demands of the kidnappers.

The Presidency added that security agencies will, in due course, provide a comprehensive account of the operation, including details of the rescue mission and the actions taken against the criminal syndicate.

The latest update reinforces the government’s position against negotiating with criminal groups and underscores its commitment to combating kidnapping, banditry and other security threats across the country.

Nigeria moved significantly closer to establishing state police on Wednesday after the Senate passed a landmark constitutional amendment bill aimed at decentralising the nation’s policing system and strengthening security operations across the federation.

The proposed legislation, regarded as one of the most far-reaching security reforms in Nigeria’s democratic history, was approved after an extensive clause-by-clause consideration by lawmakers and a final manual voting exercise in which more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.

The bill seeks to create State Police Services that will operate alongside the Nigeria Police Force, ending the Federal Government’s exclusive control of policing and introducing a dual policing structure designed to improve local security management and response capabilities.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the passage of the bill following overwhelming support from senators during plenary.

The upper chamber adopted the report of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, presented by Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, before proceeding to the final vote.

Leading debate on the proposal, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, described state policing as a critical component of efforts to tackle Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, including terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, communal violence and other criminal activities that continue to threaten communities nationwide.

Governors to Appoint State Police Commissioners

One of the most significant provisions of the constitutional amendment empowers governors to appoint Commissioners of Police for their respective states.

Under Clause 17 of the bill, while the Federal Police Service will remain under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, each State Police Service will be headed by a Commissioner of Police appointed by the governor and confirmed by the State House of Assembly.

The provision represents a major shift from the current policing structure in which all commissioners of police are appointed through federal authorities and answer ultimately to the Inspector-General of Police.

The bill also grants governors operational influence over state police formations.

Section 17(6) authorises governors to issue lawful written directives of a general policy nature to State Commissioners of Police on matters relating to public safety and public order within their states.

Supporters of the legislation argue that this framework will enable state governments to respond more effectively to local security threats, intelligence reports and community-specific challenges.

Senate Builds Safeguards Against Political Abuse

Recognising longstanding concerns about the possible misuse of state police by governors, lawmakers incorporated constitutional safeguards designed to prevent political interference and abuse of power.

The provisions prohibit the use of state police for partisan, ethnic, religious, sectional or personal purposes.

The safeguards are intended to ensure that state police formations cannot be deployed to harass political opponents, suppress dissent, intimidate journalists, target activists or undermine democratic freedoms.

Lawmakers insisted that all actions by state police authorities must comply with constitutional provisions, existing laws and due process requirements.

The safeguards formed a key aspect of Senate deliberations as critics of state policing have repeatedly warned that governors could exploit such powers to consolidate political control within their states.

Senate Dumps Electronic Voting for Manual Roll Call

The historic vote was preceded by a dramatic procedural decision after the Senate abandoned plans to use an electronic voting system for the consideration of the State Police Bill and other constitutional amendment proposals.

Concerns emerged over technical difficulties affecting some voting devices, raising fears that certain lawmakers could be excluded from participating in the constitutional exercise.

In response, Bamidele moved a motion seeking the adoption of a manual voting process, arguing that every senator must be given an equal opportunity to participate in what many described as a defining moment in Nigeria’s constitutional evolution.

Akpabio supported the proposal, stating that an open voting system would not only guarantee full participation but also enhance transparency by allowing Nigerians to know how their elected representatives voted on critical constitutional issues.

Following the decision, senators were called individually to publicly declare their positions during consideration of the amendment.

Governors, Presidency Officials Witness Historic Vote

The significance of the debate attracted the presence of several top government officials who observed proceedings from the Senate chamber.

Among those in attendance were the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani; the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun; the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; and the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Their presence underscored the national importance of a reform that could fundamentally alter Nigeria’s security architecture.

A Turning Point in Nigeria’s Security Strategy

The successful Senate passage of the State Police Bill marks one of the most consequential constitutional reforms undertaken by the 10th National Assembly.

For decades, advocates have argued that Nigeria’s centrally controlled police structure has become overstretched and incapable of adequately responding to the country’s growing and increasingly complex security threats.

Supporters believe state police will improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community policing, reduce response times and provide state governments with greater capacity to protect lives and property.

The bill is widely seen as a direct response to escalating insecurity across several regions of the country, including persistent attacks by terrorists, armed bandits, kidnappers and violent criminal groups.

Next Constitutional Hurdle

Despite clearing a major legislative obstacle, the constitutional amendment has not yet become law.

The proposal must still secure approval from at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s State Houses of Assembly and complete other constitutional processes before it can take effect.

If ultimately ratified, the reform will establish a new era in Nigerian policing, creating state-controlled police services operating alongside federal law enforcement agencies and fundamentally reshaping the nation’s approach to security management.

The Senate’s decision therefore represents not merely a legislative victory, but a historic turning point in Nigeria’s long-running search for a more effective and locally responsive security framework.