A Nigerian military aircraft carrying 32 people crashed near Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday after losing contact with air traffic controllers, with search and rescue operations now underway.
The aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was travelling from Benin to Lagos when communication with the control tower was lost at about 9:13 a.m. The wreckage was later located near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Monday.
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 him, preliminary information indicates that the aircraft had 25 passengers and seven crew members on board.
Keyamo also 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 further information on the incident would be released as it becomes available.
The Ondo State Police Command also confirmed the crash.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, urged residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified reports.
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 added that the command would keep the public informed as soon as more credible information is available.