The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that a military aircraft crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday.
The aircraft, an ATR-42 with tail number NGR 931, was on a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos when the incident occurred. The Air Force said it had activated an immediate search and rescue operation in collaboration with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft at about 9:13am after efforts to establish communication with it proved unsuccessful.
He later confirmed that the aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda and that the wreckage had been located.
“Subsequently, information, however, confirmed that the military aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The wreckage has been located and search and rescue operations are ongoing,” Keyamo said.
The minister said preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board, bringing the reported number of people on the aircraft to 32.
The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the aircraft was travelling from Benin to Lagos on a routine mission when the accident occurred.
He said search and rescue operations were ongoing, adding that further details would be communicated as they became available.
Earlier reports had described the aircraft as a helicopter, with residents reporting a crash in a swampy area of Igbokoda. However, subsequent confirmation from the NAF and the Ministry of Aviation established that the aircraft was an ATR-42 military aircraft.
The Ondo State Government has also directed emergency and security agencies to provide logistical and human support for the ongoing rescue operation.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa ordered that the crash site be secured and cordoned off to allow emergency responders to operate without hindrance. He also urged residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information.
As of the latest official updates, authorities had not disclosed the condition of those on board or confirmed any casualties. Search and rescue efforts remain ongoing.
