Thirty-two people were killed after a military aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday, sources have disclosed.
The aircraft, an ATR-42 operated by the Nigerian military, crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda while travelling from Benin to Lagos.
“Thirty-two people died in the plane crash that occurred in Ondo State,” a source privy to the information said.
The reported death toll comes after the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed that 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard the aircraft.
Sources said that all 32 people on board are believed to have died in the crash. Keyamo had earlier said preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board the aircraft when it crashed.
In a statement posted on his official X handle on Monday, the minister said Air Traffic Controllers informed him that the military aircraft, with registration number NGR 931, travelling from Benin to Lagos, had disappeared from radar.
He said the aircraft was last in communication at about 9:13am.
“All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive,” Keyamo said.
The minister said subsequent information confirmed that the aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area.
“The wreckage has been located and search and rescue operations are ongoing,” he added.
Keyamo said preliminary information indicated that there were 25 passengers and seven crew members aboard the aircraft.
He also clarified that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have no regulatory control over military aircraft.
“Whilst the control and regulation of military aircraft are completely outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation, and Civil Aviation Authority, I have just spoken to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke and pledged our total cooperation and assistance in the search and rescue efforts ongoing,” he said.
He added that further information would be made available as authorities continued to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) had earlier confirmed the crash, saying an ATR-42 aircraft had gone down in the Igbokoda area while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
In a statement issued by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the NAF said it immediately commenced a search and rescue operation.
“The Nigerian Air Force has commenced an immediate Search and Rescue operation following an ATR-42 aircraft accident in Igbokoda Area of Ondo State on 5th October 2026,” Ejodame said.
The NAF said its personnel were working with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies in the search and rescue operation.
The military had not initially disclosed the number of people aboard the aircraft or confirmed any casualties.
Initial information from residents had described the aircraft as a helicopter.
“Yes, it’s true. A helicopter just crashed now at Igbokoda, Ondo state,” a resident told had said.
The NAF subsequently clarified that the aircraft was an ATR-42 and said it was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The cause of the crash also remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.
Igbokoda is a riverine community and commercial hub in Ilaje, one of Ondo State’s oil-producing areas. The community and surrounding areas are also associated with oil and gas operations, where aviation is frequently used for logistics.
…Tinubu declares 3-day mourning
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for air force personnel who died in the crash of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft in Ondo state on Monday.
In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, on Monday, Tinubu also directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast throughout the country as a mark of respect for the personnel.
The NAF ATR-42 aircraft crashed near a naval base in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje LGA of Ondo state, while on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos.
The aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members when it crashed.
“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation,” Tinubu said in a condolence message to Sunday Aneke, chief of air staff, and officers, airmen and airwomen of the air force.
“Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Tinubu said he had been briefed by the chief of air staff and directed the air force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash.
He said the investigation should help prevent similar occurrences in the future.
“I commend the Nigerian Air Force for activating an immediate search and rescue operation following the accident,” the president said. The presidency said the NAF would release the names of the officers who died after their families had been contacted.
