By Ayo Kehinde
The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed the crash of an ATR-42 military aircraft in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, after air traffic controllers reportedly lost contact with the aircraft while it was flying from Benin to Lagos.
The NAF confirmed the crash on Monday, saying the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the incident occurred.
The aircraft, identified as NGR 931, was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members.
A statement by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the aircraft was undertaking a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed in the Igbokoda area.
No fewer than 32 people are feared dead following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 military aircraft in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
“Search and rescue operations, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, are currently ongoing”, he said.
According to him, the NAF remained committed to ensuring the success of the ongoing rescue efforts, adding that further details would be communicated as they become available.
According to him, the NAF remained committed to ensuring the success of the ongoing rescue efforts, adding that further details would be communicated as they become available.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, also confirmed the crash, providing additional details about the aircraft and those on board.
Keyamo said the aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was en route to Lagos from Benin when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13 a.m.
He said all efforts to establish communication with the aircraft through radio proved unsuccessful.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and seven crew members on board”, the minister stated.
Keyamo said subsequent information confirmed that the aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, where the wreckage was later located.
He, however, did not disclose whether there were survivors or confirm any fatalities, as search and rescue operations were still in progress.
The identities of the passengers and crew members have also not been released.
The confirmation of the crash immediately prompted the mobilisation of search and rescue teams to the area.
The NAF said its operation was being conducted in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, as efforts continued to determine the fate of everyone aboard the aircraft.
The Igbokoda area, located in the coastal part of Ondo State, has extensive waterways and swampy terrain, potentially making access to the crash site challenging for rescue personnel.
Authorities have yet to disclose the circumstances that led to the crash or whether the aircraft experienced any technical or operational difficulty before contact was lost.
Investigators are expected to establish the sequence of events leading to the disappearance of the aircraft from radar and its eventual crash.
Keyamo said although military aircraft are outside the operational control and regulatory jurisdiction of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the ministry would provide whatever assistance was required.
He disclosed that he had spoken with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, following the incident.
The minister pledged the ministry’s full cooperation and assistance to the ongoing search and rescue operation.
“Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently”, he said.
The NAF also appealed for patience as the rescue operation continues.
The ATR-42 is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft designed primarily for regional passenger and transport operations. The Nigerian Air Force operates aircraft for several military and support functions, including troop and personnel movement, logistics and other operational missions.
