The Federal Government has confirmed that 32 people were aboard a military aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday.
The aircraft, identified by its tail number as NGR 931, was travelling from Benin to Lagos when it disappeared from radar, according to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
Keyamo disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday, explaining that Air Traffic Controllers first raised the alarm after losing contact with the aircraft.
According to the minister, the aircraft disappeared from radar at about 9:13am after repeated attempts to establish radio communication with its crew failed.
Keyamo said subsequent information confirmed that the aircraft had crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
He added that the wreckage had been located, while search and rescue teams were already operating at the scene.
“Subsequently, information, however, confirmed that the military aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The wreckage has been located and search and rescue operations are ongoing,” the minister stated.
Preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on the aircraft when it went down, bringing the total number of people aboard to 32.
Keyamo, however, did not provide further details on the condition of those on board as rescue efforts continued.
The minister noted that military aviation operations fall outside the direct regulatory authority of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
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Despite this, he said he had spoken with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged the ministry’s full cooperation and assistance to the ongoing search and rescue operation.
More Details Expected
The cause of the crash was not immediately disclosed.
Keyamo said further information would be released as more details emerge from the ongoing operation.
The incident has triggered an emergency response in Igbokoda as authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash and account for those who were on board.