The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that its ATR 42 aircraft crashed on Monday morning in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The incident occurred on Monday, while the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
In a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the NAF said it had activated an immediate Search and Rescue operation following the accident.
According to the statement, the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred. Search and Rescue operations, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, are currently ongoing.
The Air Force added that it is committed to ensuring the success of the ongoing rescue efforts, noting that further details would be communicated in due course.
The crash site was identified as a swampy area opposite the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. The aircraft, which was being used for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and air maritime operations, reportedly crashed in the early hours of Monday.
Confirming the incident separately, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed that the aircraft with tail number NGR 931 disappeared from radar at about 9:13 a.m. while en route to Lagos from Benin.
According to the Minister, all efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive before the wreckage was located close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda. Preliminary information indicates that there were 25 passengers and seven crew members on board, making 32 persons in total.
The NAF did not disclose casualties as of press time, while rescue teams remain deployed to the site.
The Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Maurice Oripelaye, was quoted as saying the aircraft was burnt to rubble.
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