Tragedy: NAF ATR-42 Crashes in Ondo, 32 On Board
By Reporter
A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft has crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The incident occurred on Monday, with the aircraft reportedly disappearing from radar at about 9:13 a.m.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the crash, saying the aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, lost radar contact while travelling from Benin to Lagos.
According to Keyamo, air traffic controllers attempted to establish radio contact with the aircraft after it disappeared from radar, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
He said the wreckage had subsequently been located and that search-and-rescue operations were ongoing.
Preliminary information released by the minister indicated that 32 people were on board the aircraft — 25 passengers and seven crew members.
However, authorities had not released an official casualty figure as of the time of filing this report.
The Nigerian Air Force also confirmed the incident in a statement by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.
Ejodame said the aircraft was “on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.”
He said the NAF had immediately activated search-and-rescue operations in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.
“The NAF is committed to ensuring the success of the ongoing search and rescue efforts,” he said, adding that further details would be made available as they emerged.
Earlier reports from residents of Igbokoda had described the aircraft as a helicopter. A community leader who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that an aircraft had crashed in the area but said residents were initially unable to establish the exact location or obtain details about the incident.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, had also initially said he was unaware of the crash when contacted.
The subsequent confirmation by the NAF established that the aircraft was an ATR-42 military aircraft, rather than a helicopter as initially reported.
Keyamo also clarified that military aircraft are outside the regulatory control of the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
The minister said he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and assured the Nigerian Air Force of the ministry’s cooperation and assistance in the ongoing response.
The cause of the crash remains unknown. Authorities are expected to provide further information on the circumstances surrounding the incident, the condition of those on board and the outcome of the rescue operation.
