NAF aircraft crashes in Ondo with 32 aboard

Nkereuwem Effiong

A Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying 32 people – 25 passengers and seven crew members – has crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The aircraft, an ATR-42 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 am on Monday.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said later information indicated the aircraft crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, where its wreckage was found.

Keyamo said preliminary information showed that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board, but he did not disclose their identities or condition as search-and-rescue operations continued.

“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and seven crew members on board,” the minister said.

Earlier, the Nigerian Air Force confirmed the crash and said it had immediately activated search-and-rescue operations in collaboration with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.

The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the aircraft was flying from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.

“The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred,” Ejodame said.

He added that search-and-rescue operations were ongoing and that further details would be released as they became available.

A community leader in Igbokoda had earlier confirmed the crash but said residents could not initially determine its exact location. “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.

Keyamo said the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority did not control or regulate military aircraft.

He, however, said he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and assured the NAF of the ministry’s full cooperation and assistance with the rescue operation.

“Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently,” Keyamo said.