NAF Confirms Military Aircraft Crash in Ondo State

The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that the military aircraft that crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday belonged to the service.

The aircraft, an ATR-42, was reportedly on a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos when the accident occurred on October 5, 2026.

The confirmation followed an earlier announcement by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, that a military aircraft had crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda after air traffic controllers lost contact with it.

In a statement, the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said an immediate search and rescue operation had been launched in collaboration with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.

He said the aircraft was travelling from Benin to Lagos when the incident occurred, adding that efforts were ongoing to locate and assist those on board.

The NAF, however, did not disclose the number of casualties or the condition of the passengers and crew.

Earlier, Keyamo said preliminary information indicated that 32 people—25 passengers and seven crew members—were aboard the aircraft.

According to the minister, air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, at about 9:13 a.m. while it was travelling from Benin to Lagos.

Keyamo later confirmed that the wreckage had been located near the Naval Base in Igbokoda and that search and rescue operations were underway.

The minister also noted that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority do not have regulatory authority over military aircraft.

He said he had spoken with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, and assured the Nigerian Air Force of the ministry's cooperation and support in the ongoing rescue operation.