2,038 lives lost in Nigeria’s air crashes
A total of 2,038 people died in air accidents in Nigeria in 53 years, spanning 1969 to year 2002, the Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria (AIB-N) has said.
Mr Akin Olateru, AIB-N Commission gave the figure on Sunday in Abuja when its commissioner, Mr Akin Olateru, addressed newsmen at an event held to mark the 2022 International Day for the commemoration of air crash victims and their families.
Olateru said 1996 of the victims died on board aircraft, while 42 passengers died on ground.
โAviation is a very important part of global economy. I want to state unequivocally, that I consider the avoidable loss of lives as unacceptable.
โWhen an aircraft accident or serious incident occurs, it is always an unexpected and mostly fatal event that causes great distress and loss to victims and their families.
โThis is the reason that we, at AIB-N, are determined to continue to extend the frontiers of safety in the aviation sectorโ he said.
Olateru said the bureau was ready to employ the latest technology and the most qualified personnel to thoroughly investigate past occurrences.
He said appropriate recommendations would be made from the investigation of past occurrences to avert recurrence.
โWe will ensure that we continue to review and improve our processes and procedures to reduce casualties associated with transportation.
โWe will provide information and other support systems necessary to fulfill our mandate.
โWith advancement in technology, it is our aim to achieve higher safety standards and ensure fewer fatal incidents in the future,โโ Olateru said. (NAN