A Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying 32 people crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, after air traffic controllers lost contact with it during a routine flight from Benin to Lagos.
The aircraft, an ATR-42 with registration number NGR 931, was said to have been on its way to Lagos when communication with air traffic controllers was lost at about 9:13am on Monday.
According to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, attempts were immediately made to re-establish contact with the aircraft through radio, but all efforts failed.
The aircraft was subsequently confirmed to have crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, where its wreckage was located.
Keyamo said preliminary information showed that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board the aircraft.
He said the condition and identities of those on board could not immediately be confirmed as search-and-rescue operations were still ongoing.
The minister explained that the aircraft was conducting a routine military mission from Benin to Lagos when contact was lost.
“At about 9:13am this morning, air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft. Attempts were made to raise the aircraft on the radio, but those attempts failed,” Keyamo said.
“Later, it was confirmed that the aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, and the wreckage has been located.”
The Nigerian Air Force, in its own confirmation of the incident, said the aircraft was on a routine mission when the crash occurred.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said search-and-rescue operations commenced immediately in collaboration with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.
He said further details would be made available as the operation progressed.
Keyamo also disclosed that he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, following the incident.
The minister noted that military aircraft operations and regulation were outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, but assured that the ministry would provide the necessary cooperation.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not disclosed the cause of the crash or the fate of the 32 people on board, while rescue efforts continued.
