The Federal Government has confirmed that 32 people were aboard a Nigerian military aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday.
The aircraft, identified by its tail number as NGR 931, was reportedly travelling from Benin to Lagos when contact with air traffic controllers was lost.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed the development in a statement following information received from Air Traffic Controllers.
According to the minister, the aircraft disappeared from radar at about 9:13 a.m. after attempts to establish radio communication with its crew were unsuccessful.
Authorities subsequently confirmed that the aircraft had crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, where the wreckage was located.
Keyamo said preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board, bringing the total number of occupants to 32.
He expressed regret over the incident and said search and rescue operations had commenced at the crash site.
“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, en route Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours earlier today,” the minister said.
He explained that efforts to reach the aircraft by radio had failed before information about the crash was received.
The minister also clarified that the regulation and control of military aircraft fall outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
Despite this, Keyamo said he had contacted the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and offered the ministry’s full cooperation and assistance to the ongoing search and rescue operation.
The Nigerian Air Force also confirmed the incident, stating that the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
Air Force authorities said search and rescue efforts were being conducted in collaboration with relevant government agencies and emergency response organisations.
The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation, while authorities are expected to provide further information as rescue and assessment operations continue.
The incident occurred in Igbokoda, a coastal community in Ilaje Local Government Area, where the crash site is located close to a naval facility.
Officials have urged the public to rely on verified information as authorities continue to establish the full details of the incident and account for all those aboard the aircraft.
