By Ali Elias
With reports from our Correspondents in Akure, Lagos and Benin
A Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying 32 people has crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, after losing contact with air traffic controllers while on a routine flight from Benin City to Lagos.
The aircraft, identified as an ATR-42 with tail number NGR 931, disappeared from contact at about 9:13 a.m. on Monday, prompting an immediate search before its wreckage was located near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the incident in a statement, saying air traffic controllers had been unable to re-establish radio contact with the aircraft.
“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,” Keyamo said.
He added that subsequent information confirmed that the aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda and that its wreckage had been located.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board,” the minister said.
There was, however, no official confirmation of casualties or survivors as of news time, with search-and-rescue operations still underway. Reports said authorities had yet to establish the condition of those aboard.
NAF Confirms Crash
The Nigerian Air Force subsequently confirmed the accident, saying the aircraft was undertaking a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed in the Igbokoda area.
The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said an immediate search-and-rescue operation had been activated in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.
“The Nigerian Air Force is committed to ensuring the success of the ongoing search and rescue efforts. Further details will be communicated in due course,” Ejodame said.
The aircraft came down in a swampy area opposite the Naval Base, according to Ondo State government sources. The difficult terrain was expected to pose additional challenges to rescue teams operating at the site.
Ondo Government Mobilises Support
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa directed state agencies to support the military and other emergency responders involved in the operation.
The governor ordered the State Emergency Management Agency, Ministry of Health and relevant security agencies to mobilise logistical and human resources for the rescue effort.
He also directed that the crash site be secured and cordoned off to facilitate the operation.
Aiyedatiwa expressed sympathy to the Chief of the Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force and the families of the personnel and passengers aboard the aircraft.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time,” the governor said.
The Ondo State Police Command also confirmed the crash and urged residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said details of the incident were still emerging and that the public would be informed when credible information became available.
Keyamo Pledges Cooperation
Keyamo said that although the control and regulation of military aircraft fall outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, he had spoken with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, following the incident.
He pledged the ministry’s cooperation and assistance to the Nigerian Air Force in the ongoing search-and-rescue operation.
The minister said further information would be released as it became available.
The crash comes as Nigeria’s military continues to operate aircraft in various parts of the country for transportation, surveillance, training and other operational assignments.
The cause of the Igbokoda crash had not been established as of press time. Authorities are expected to commence a formal investigation after the immediate search-and-rescue operation is concluded.
For now, the focus remains on determining the fate of the 32 people reported to have been aboard the aircraft and recovering any survivors from the crash site.