Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has expressed sadness over the crash of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.
The aircraft, an ATR-42 with tail number NGR 931, crashed in a swampy area opposite the Naval Base in Igbokoda in the early hours of Monday, October 5, 2026.
According to preliminary information from the Nigerian Air Force, the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the incident occurred.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board the aircraft.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, sympathised with the Chief of Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force and the families of the personnel and passengers aboard the aircraft.
The governor said he had been in contact with the NAF leadership, the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Maurice Oripelaye, and security agencies following the crash.
He directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ministry of Health and relevant security agencies to immediately mobilise personnel and provide full logistical and human support for the ongoing search and rescue operation.
Aiyedatiwa also ordered that the crash site be cordoned off and secured to facilitate rescue efforts.
He appealed to residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm, cooperate with emergency responders and refrain from spreading unverified information.
The Ondo State Government said it would continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available from the Nigerian Air Force.
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