A military aircraft carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members has crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, the Federal Government has confirmed.
The aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was travelling from Benin to Lagos when it disappeared from radar at about 9:13am on Monday.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the aircraft was subsequently located after efforts to establish radio contact failed.
He said search and rescue operations had commenced following confirmation of the crash.
“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, en route Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours earlier today,” Keyamo said.
“All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive.”
The minister added, “Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and seven crew members on board.”
Keyamo said the wreckage had been located close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, while search and rescue efforts continued.
He noted that the control and regulation of military aircraft were outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.
The minister, however, said he had spoken with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged the ministry’s cooperation in the ongoing rescue operation.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force confirmed the incident and activated an immediate search and rescue operation.
The NAF said the accident involved an ATR-42 aircraft and occurred in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
Further details on the condition of those on board were not immediately available as rescue operations continued.
Keyamo said the government would provide further information as it became available.
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