By Emmanuel Nduka
A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft has crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, with 32 people reportedly on board.
The aircraft, an ATR-42 with registration number NGR 931, was on a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos when it crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda on Monday.
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the incident, saying air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft at about 9:13 a.m. after efforts to establish radio communication proved unsuccessful.
Keyamo said the wreckage was subsequently located near the Naval Base, while search and rescue operations were ongoing.
He said preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board the aircraft.
The minister added that he had spoken with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged the cooperation and assistance of his ministry in the ongoing rescue efforts.
The Nigerian Air Force also confirmed the accident, saying it had immediately activated a search-and-rescue operation in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.
In a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the NAF said the aircraft was conducting a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
“The NAF is committed to ensuring the success of the ongoing search and rescue efforts. Further details will be communicated in due course,” Ejodame said.
The Air Force did not immediately provide details on casualties or the condition of those on board, as rescue operations were still underway.
The cause of the crash has not been established.
