A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft has crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, with 32 people reportedly on board.
The incident occurred on Monday, October 5, 2026, after the aircraft, identified by its registration number NGR 931, disappeared from radar while travelling from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the incident, saying air traffic controllers lost contact with the military aircraft at about 9:13 a.m.
Keyamo said repeated attempts to establish radio contact with the aircraft were unsuccessful before authorities received information that it had crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
He said the wreckage had been located while search and rescue operations were immediately activated.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and seven crew members on board,” the minister said.
The Nigerian Air Force subsequently confirmed that the aircraft belonged to the service, identifying it as an ATR-42 aircraft.
The 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.
According to him, the NAF had launched an immediate search and rescue operation in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.
“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,” Ejodame said.
The Air Force, however, did not disclose the condition of the people aboard the aircraft or confirm any casualties as of the time of its statement.
Keyamo also clarified that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority do not have regulatory control over military aircraft.
He said he had spoken with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged the ministry’s full cooperation and assistance to the ongoing rescue efforts.
The crash reportedly triggered panic in Igbokoda, although authorities have continued efforts to secure the crash site and assist those aboard the aircraft.
The aircraft was reportedly configured for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as air maritime operations.
Authorities said further details would be released as search and rescue operations progress.
