A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members has crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, with all 32 people on board feared dead.
Gatekeepers News reports that the aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was travelling from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13am on Monday.
Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, confirmed the incident, saying efforts to reach the aircraft by radio proved unsuccessful before its wreckage was located near the naval base.
“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, enroute Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours earlier today. All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive,” Keyamo said.
He said preliminary information showed that 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard the aircraft.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board,” the minister said, adding that search and rescue operations had been activated.
The Nigerian Air Force subsequently confirmed that the aircraft belonged to the force and was on a routine mission when the crash occurred.
The NAF said it activated a search and rescue operation in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies following the incident.
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa also directed state emergency agencies, health officials and security personnel to support the rescue operation. He ordered the crash site to be secured and urged the public to rely on official information concerning the incident.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has since mourned those aboard the aircraft and directed the Nigerian Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation into the crash.
The Presidency said the 25 passengers and seven crew members aboard the aircraft were feared dead, describing the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces.
Tinubu expressed condolences to the families of the victims and directed the NAF to determine the circumstances that led to the crash.
The President also commended the military, first responders and the Ondo State Government for their efforts following the incident.
The identities of those aboard the aircraft is yet to be officially released.
