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A helicopter has crashed in a marshy area in Igbokoda, the seat of Ilaje local government in Ondo State, and the occupants are feared dead.
The accident occurred in the early hours of Monday, sending residents of the coastal community into panic as emergency and security personnel moved to the crash site.
The plane was reportedly shot down over marshy terrain opposite the Igbokoda naval base.
Ilaje local government chairman Maurice Oripelaye, who confirmed the crash, said military equipment was found at the scene but revealed that authorities were unable to ascertain the number of people on board the plane.
“We have confirmed that a helicopter crashed in the area, but we cannot yet ascertain the number of people who were on board. Military equipment was found at the scene, but the helicopter was reduced to rubble,” he said.
The Ondo Police Command also confirmed the incident. His spokesman, Jimoh Abayomi, said further details would be provided.
Meanwhile, rescuers and security agencies have reportedly intensified efforts at the crash site to determine the number of occupants and ascertain whether anyone survived.
Personnel from the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base are also said to have joined the rescue operation.
At the time of writing there was no official confirmation of the victims and no authorities had released the identity of the occupants.
The cause of the accident also remained unknown.
THE the plane, its operator, the flight route and the purpose of the trip are under investigation.
The recovery of military equipment at the scene could provide an important clue to the identity of the plane, but authorities have not yet made any public statement about the helicopter.
For now, the biggest concern remains the fate of the occupants, whose number and identity are not yet known while rescue and recovery operations continue.
Further details are awaited from the army, police and other relevant authorities as the crash site is fully assessed.
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