Scene of a plane crash
Many people are feared dead after a Nigerian military aircraft carrying 32 people crashed near Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday, prompting an emergency search and rescue operation.
The aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was travelling from Benin to Lagos when it disappeared from radar at about 9:13 a.m. after losing communication with air traffic controllers. The wreckage was later located near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the incident in a statement, saying aviation authorities first received reports that the aircraft had gone missing before its crash site was discovered.
He said, “I regret to inform the general public that Air Traffic Controllers have informed me of the disappearance of a military aircraft with tail number NGR 931, enroute Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours earlier today. All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive.”
The minister added, “Subsequently information however confirmed that the military aircraft has crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The wreckage has been located and search and rescue operations are ongoing.”
According to Keyamo, preliminary information indicates that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board the aircraft, bringing the total number of occupants to 32.
He stressed that while military aircraft are regulated outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, the Federal Government is fully supporting rescue efforts.
The minister said, “Whilst the control and regulation of military aircraft are completely outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation, and Civil Aviation Authority, I have just spoken to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke and pledged our total cooperation and assistance in the search and rescue efforts ongoing.”
He added that more details would be released as rescue operations continue.
The Ondo State Police Command also confirmed the crash. The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information while emergency responders work at the scene.
Jimoh said, “The Command urges members of the public, particularly residents of Igbokoda and adjoining communities, to remain calm and refrain from circulating unverified information.”
He assured that the public would be updated as soon as credible information becomes available.
The cause of the crash has not yet been established, while authorities have continued search and rescue operations to determine the fate of those on board.
The incident is one of the most serious military aviation accidents recorded in recent times and is expected to trigger a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Families of those on board and Nigerians across the country are anxiously awaiting official confirmation on casualties and survivors.
