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By Ayo Kehinde
The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed the crash of an ATR-42 military aircraft in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, after air traffic controllers reportedly lost contact with the aircraft while it was flying from Benin to Lagos.
The NAF confirmed the crash on Monday, saying the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the crash occurred.
The plane, identified as NGR 931, was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members.
A statement by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the aircraft was flying a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed in the Igbokoda area.
No fewer than 32 people are feared dead following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 military aircraft in Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
“Search and rescue operations, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, are currently underway,” it said.
According to him, the NAF remained committed to ensuring the success of the ongoing rescue efforts, adding that further details will be communicated as they become available.
According to him, the NAF remained committed to ensuring the success of the ongoing rescue efforts, adding that further details will be communicated as they become available.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, also confirmed the accident, providing further details about the plane and the people on board.
Keyamo said the plane, with tail number NGR 931, was en route to Lagos from Benin when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at around 9.13am.
He said all efforts to establish communication with the aircraft via radio were unsuccessful.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and seven crew members on board,” the minister said.
Keyamo said subsequent information confirmed that the plane had crashed near the Igbokoda naval base, where the wreckage was later located.
The man, however, did not reveal whether there were any survivors or confirm any casualties, as search and rescue operations were still ongoing.
The identities of the passengers and crew members were also not released.
Confirmation of the accident immediately prompted the mobilization of search and rescue teams in the area.
The NAF said its operations were conducted in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, as efforts continue to determine the fate of everyone on board the aircraft.
The Igbokoda area, located in the coastal part of Ondo State, has extensive waterways and marshy terrain, making access to the accident site potentially difficult for rescue personnel.
Authorities have yet to reveal the circumstances that led to the crash or whether the plane experienced technical or operational difficulties before contact was lost.
Investigators are expected to establish the sequence of events that led to the plane disappearing from radar and its eventual crash.
Keyamo said although the military aircraft are outside the operational control and regulatory jurisdiction of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the ministry will provide all necessary assistance.
He disclosed that he spoke to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, following the incident.
The minister promised the ministry’s full cooperation and assistance in the ongoing search and rescue operations.
“Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available later,” he said.
The NAF also appealed for patience as rescue operations continue.
The ATR-42 is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft designed primarily for regional transport and passenger operations. The Nigerian Air Force uses aircraft for several military and support functions, including movement of troops and personnel, logistics and other operational missions.
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