The Military aircraft crash in Igbokoda has been confirmed by the Federal Government, with 32 people reportedly on board the aircraft when it went down in Ondo State on Monday.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo confirmed the crash in a statement.
He said the aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was travelling from Benin to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it.
According to Mr Keyamo, the aircraft disappeared from radar at about 09:13 local time.
Controllers then tried to establish radio contact with the crew. However, their attempts failed.
The aircraft was later confirmed to have crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Authorities have located the wreckage and launched search and rescue operations.
Preliminary information indicates that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board.
The government has not yet released details about the condition of those on board.
Similarly, authorities have not established the cause of the crash.
The Nigerian Air Force said the aircraft was carrying out a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred. It also said it had activated a search and rescue operation with relevant authorities and emergency agencies.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information while officials establish more details about the incident.
Mr Keyamo said he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development’s cooperation with the rescue operation.
The minister also clarified that the regulation and control of military aircraft fall outside the authority of his ministry and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
Further details are expected as search and rescue teams continue their work at the crash site.
The Military aircraft crash in Igbokoda remains under investigation, while authorities work to establish what happened and provide further information about the people on board.
