The Nigerian Air Force has recorded several fatal aircraft accidents over the years involving military transport planes, surveillance aircraft and combat helicopters.
The latest incident occurred on Monday in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, after an NAF ATR-42 aircraft crashed during a routine flight from Benin City to Lagos.
The Nigerian Air Force said on Tuesday that 25 people were on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, and confirmed that there were no survivors.
The figure differed from an earlier estimate of 32 people given by Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, who had initially said 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard.
“No survivors have been found,” the NAF said.
The aircraft, identified as NAF 931, was one of two ATR-42-500MP aircraft operated by the Air Force for maritime patrol, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.
The two aircraft, NAF 930 and NAF 931, were purchased from Italian aerospace company Alenia Aeronautica under a $73 million contract signed in 2007. NAF 930 was delivered in December 2009, while NAF 931 was delivered in March 2010.
The Air Force said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, had directed a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
President Bola Tinubu also ordered a thorough investigation and declared three days of national mourning, directing that flags be flown at half-mast in honour of the victims.
The Ondo crash has renewed attention on the history of military aviation accidents in Nigeria.
Here are eight major fatal crashes involving Nigerian military aircraft.
1. 1980 — Forcados Fokker F27 crash
On May 26, 1980, a Nigerian Air Force Fokker F27 Friendship aircraft crashed off Forcados in Delta State while flying from Lagos to São Tomé.
The aircraft was carrying a Nigerian delegation made up of government officials, army officers and journalists.
All 30 people on board died.
According to accident records, the aircraft encountered severe weather while flying over the Gulf of Guinea before losing control and crashing into the sea.
The incident became one of the earliest major military aviation disasters in Nigeria’s modern history.
2. 1992 — C-130 Hercules crash in Lagos
On September 26, 1992, a Nigerian Air Force Lockheed C-130H Hercules crashed shortly after departing Lagos.
There were 159 people aboard the aircraft, including military personnel from Nigeria and other African countries.
No one survived the crash.
The incident remains one of Nigeria’s deadliest military aviation accidents, with accident records attributing the disaster to multiple engine failures during the aircraft’s initial climb.
The aircraft came down in the Ejigbo area of Lagos shortly after departing from Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
3. 1997 — Dornier crash in Kaduna
On February 24, 1997, a Nigerian Air Force Dornier Do 128 crashed near Kaduna airport during a training flight.
The aircraft was approaching the runway when the pilot lost control, causing it to crash about three kilometres short of the runway.
All three crew members on board died.
The accident occurred during a training flight and became one of the fatal incidents involving the Air Force’s Dornier fleet.
4. 2000 — Dornier crash near Warri
On October 26, 2000, another Nigerian Air Force Dornier aircraft crashed while approaching Warri Airport in Delta State.
All six occupants of the aircraft died.
The accident was among a series of fatal incidents involving the Air Force’s light transport aircraft during that period.
5. 2006 — Dornier crash in Benue
On September 17, 2006, a Nigerian Air Force Dornier 228 crashed near Vande Ikya in Benue State while travelling from Abuja to Obudu.
The aircraft had 18 people aboard, including 15 passengers and three crew members.
Thirteen people died, while five others survived with injuries. Several senior military officers were among those on board.
The aircraft crashed into hilly terrain during its descent in poor weather conditions.
6. 2015 — Dornier crashes in Kaduna
On August 29, 2015, a Nigerian Air Force Dornier 228 crashed shortly after taking off from Kaduna for Abuja.
The aircraft lost control during its climb and crashed into a residential building in the Ribadu Cantonment area.
All seven people aboard — four crew members and three passengers — died.
The incident occurred less than 10 minutes after take-off, prompting emergency responders to secure the area and recover the victims.
7. 2019 — Mi-35M helicopter crashes in Borno
On January 2, 2019, a Nigerian Air Force Mi-35M attack helicopter crashed in Damasak, Borno State, while providing close air support to troops fighting Boko Haram insurgents.
The Air Force confirmed that all five crew members aboard the helicopter died.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the death of the 5 crew members who were on board the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Mi-35M Helicopter which crashed in combat yesterday, 2 January 2019, while providing close air support to troops of 145 Battalion, Damasak in Borno State,” NAF spokesman Ibikunle Daramola said.
The victims comprised two pilots, a flight technician and two gunners.
The crash occurred during ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.
8. 2026 — ATR-42 crash in Ondo
The latest tragedy occurred on October 5, 2026, when NAF 931, an ATR-42 aircraft, crashed near a naval base in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The aircraft was travelling from Benin City to Lagos on what the Air Force described as a routine mission.
The NAF later confirmed that 25 people were aboard — five crew members and 20 passengers — and that there were no survivors.
The Air Force subsequently released the identities of those killed, including military personnel and civilians.
President Tinubu described the incident as “a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation” and directed the Air Force to investigate the cause of the crash.
“The Chief of Air Staff has briefed me, and I have directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences,” Tinubu said.
The cause of the latest crash remains under investigation.