RismadarVoice Reporters
October 5, 2026
A Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying 32 people has crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The aircraft, identified as an ATR-42 with tail number NGR 931, was on a routine flight from Benin to Lagos when the incident occurred on Monday.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo said air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft at about 9:13 a.m., with subsequent attempts to establish radio communication proving unsuccessful.
Information later received by authorities confirmed that the aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
Preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board.
The Nigerian Air Force confirmed that the aircraft belonged to the service and said an immediate search and rescue operation had been activated in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.
The wreckage has been located, but authorities have not officially confirmed the condition of those on board.
Keyamo said he had spoken with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged the cooperation of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development in the ongoing operation.
He explained that military aircraft do not fall under the regulatory control of the ministry or the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
Authorities have yet to announce the cause of the crash.
Further information on the passengers, crew members and possible casualties is expected as the search and rescue operation progresses.
