The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the crash of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The aircraft reportedly crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda while operating a routine flight from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos.
Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to him, military personnel and some members of their families were among those on board the aircraft when the accident occurred.
The Defence Headquarters said it received the report of the crash with shock and immediately commenced search and rescue operations at the scene.
“The Defence Headquarters has received with deep shock the news of the unfortunate crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State,” the statement said.
It added that the aircraft was conducting a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos when the incident occurred.
The DHQ said the Nigerian Air Force was leading the search and rescue effort in collaboration with other branches of the Armed Forces, emergency response agencies and relevant authorities.
It said efforts were ongoing at the crash site as authorities worked to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
The military headquarters also confirmed that an investigation would be conducted to determine what caused the aircraft to crash.
The investigation, according to the statement, is being carried out in line with a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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“In compliance with the directive of the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, investigation will be conducted to ascertain the cause of the accident, while Search and Rescue efforts by the NAF in collaboration with sister Services and emergency agencies continue at the site,” the DHQ said.
DHQ Appeals For Restraint
The Defence Headquarters expressed sympathy to the families and loved ones of those affected by the crash, as well as the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the Nigerian Air Force and the wider Armed Forces.
It also appealed to members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information or speculating about the cause of the accident while search and rescue operations and official procedures remain ongoing.
The DHQ said the Armed Forces remained committed to carrying out their constitutional responsibilities despite the incident.
“The leadership of the Armed Forces wishes to assure all Nigerians that the Armed Forces will remain resolute and committed to our constitutional mandate of securing the nation, despite this painful setback,” it added.