By Ozioruva Aliu
BENIN CITY — One of the victims of Tuesday’s ill-fated Air Force aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, Flight Lieutenant M. Akintoye, reportedly visited his mother on Monday to celebrate her birthday before departing for Lagos.
Akintoye’s visit to his mother, Professor Emily Akintoye, a staff member of Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, turned out to be their last encounter.
A source close to the Air Force also disclosed that the aircraft’s co-pilot, Flight Lieutenant I. S. Bako, got married a few weeks ago.
Flags were flown at half-mast at the Air Force military base and the Air Force Military Hospital in Benin City in honour of the victims.
Recounting Akintoye’s final visit, a source close to the family said he and other personnel had stopped over in Benin City after attending a programme.
“On Monday, which was his mother’s birthday, he rushed home in one of their Air Force vehicles to wish her a happy birthday and inform her that they were on their way to Lagos. A few hours later, news of the disaster broke,” the source said.
The source said the tragedy had devastated the family and senior military officers, given the number of personnel involved in the crash.
“Everybody is devastated, including senior officers, because of the number of personnel involved in the disaster. His mother is obviously in distress, and it is a bad day to celebrate his birthday.
“This is something that would stay with her for life. Whenever it is her birthday, she will remember the tragic death of her son,” the source added.
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