By Ben Brooks
A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft has crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred on Monday, October 5, 2026.
The Nigerian Air Force confirmed the incident, saying it had immediately activated ‘Search and Rescue’ operations in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.
In a statement, Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said:
“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.”
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, also confirmed the crash, saying air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft at about 09:13 a.m. while en route to Lagos from Benin.
Keyamo said all efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive, and subsequent information confirmed it had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda. He said the wreckage has been located.
Preliminary information indicates that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board, bringing the total number of occupants to 32.
The circumstances surrounding the accident, including possible casualties, were not immediately disclosed.
Keyamo said he has spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged the Ministry’s full cooperation, while clarifying that the control and regulation of military aircraft falls outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Search and Rescue operations are ongoing.