The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has disclosed that 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard a military aircraft that crashed in Ondo State on Monday.
Keyamo gave the update in a statement posted on his X account following reports that the aircraft had disappeared while travelling to Lagos.
He said the aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was flying from Benin in Edo State to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13am.
“I regret to inform the general public that Air Traffic Controllers have informed me of the disappearance of a military aircraft with tail number NGR 931, enroute Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours earlier today. All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive,” Keyamo said.
Wreckage located in Igbokoda
According to the minister, subsequent information confirmed that the aircraft had crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
He said the wreckage had been located and search and rescue operations were ongoing.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board,” he said.
Keyamo said he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged the support of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development in the ongoing rescue efforts.
He noted that the control and regulation of military aircraft were outside the authority of the ministry and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
Police urge residents to remain calm
The Ondo State Police Command had earlier confirmed that details surrounding the incident were still emerging.
The command’s spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, urged residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information.
“The Command urges members of the public, particularly residents of Igbokoda and adjoining communities, to remain calm and refrain from circulating unverified information,” Jimoh said.
Authorities are expected to provide further details as search and rescue operations continue.