A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft carrying 32 people, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members, has crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, with search-and-rescue operations underway.
The aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13 a.m. on Monday.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the incident, saying subsequent information indicated that the aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.
He said the wreckage of the aircraft had been located, while efforts were ongoing to determine the condition of those on board.
Keyamo, however, did not disclose the identities or condition of the 32 people aboard the aircraft, noting that search-and-rescue operations were still in progress.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and seven crew members on board,” the minister said.
According to him, the aircraft was en route to Lagos from Benin when all efforts by air traffic controllers to raise it on radio proved unsuccessful.
The incident was also confirmed by the Nigerian Air Force, which said it had immediately activated a search-and-rescue operation in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.
In a statement by its 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 aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
“Search and rescue operations, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, are currently ongoing.
“The NAF is committed to ensuring the success of the ongoing search and rescue efforts. Further details will be communicated in due course,” the statement said.
The crash was initially reported by a community leader in Igbokoda, who confirmed that a helicopter had gone down in the area but said residents had yet to establish its exact location or obtain further details.
“Yes, it is true. A helicopter crashed at Igbokoda, Ondo State. But we don’t know the exact place and other details,” the community leader said.
The uncertainty was subsequently cleared after the Minister of Aviation confirmed that the wreckage had been located near the Naval Base.
Keyamo also clarified the jurisdictional position of the aviation authorities, stating that the control and regulation of military aircraft were outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
He nevertheless said the ministry was ready to provide full cooperation and assistance to the Nigerian Air Force and other agencies involved in the rescue operation.
The minister said he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, following the incident.
“I have spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and we have pledged our full cooperation and assistance in the ongoing search and rescue efforts,” he said.
He added that further information on the incident would be released as it became available.
The crash has raised immediate concerns over the fate of the 32 occupants, although the authorities have yet to announce whether there were survivors or casualties.
As of the time of filing this report, the priority of the authorities remained the search-and-rescue operation and the assessment of the crash site near the Igbokoda Naval Base.
The NAF said further details would be communicated as the operation progresses.
