A military aircraft carrying 32 people has crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, after losing contact with air traffic controllers while flying from Benin to Lagos.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, confirmed the incident in a statement, saying the aircraft, identified by registration number NGR 931, disappeared from radar after leaving Benin.
According to the minister, the aircraft was last in contact with authorities at about 9:13 a.m. when efforts to re-establish communication with the crew reportedly failed.
Authorities later received information that the aircraft had crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, where the wreckage was subsequently located.
Keyamo disclosed that preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard the aircraft, bringing the total number of people on board to 32.
Search and rescue operations are currently underway as authorities work to determine the condition of those on board and establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The minister also noted that military aviation operations fall outside the regulatory jurisdiction of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.
Keyamo said he had contacted the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and assured the Nigerian Air Force of the ministry’s full cooperation and assistance during the rescue operation.
Further details concerning the crash and the condition of those aboard are expected as the search and rescue efforts continue.
