Family Members, Military Personnel Among 32 Killed In NAF Plane Crash In Ondo

No fewer than 32 people, including military personnel, their family members and crew members, have reportedly died after a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed into a swamp opposite the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The aircraft, which crashed in the early hours of Monday, had airmen, soldiers and their family members on board.

Sources said some of the family members included children returning to school and relatives who had visited their loved ones serving in Edo and Delta states.

The aircraft was reportedly on a logistics mission from Benin to Lagos in support of Nigerian Air Force operations, with the arrangement also providing military personnel and their families an opportunity to travel to Lagos.

It was gathered that the delay in releasing the identities of those on board was partly due to the presence of civilian passengers, with efforts reportedly ongoing to establish contact with their relatives.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, later confirmed that 32 people comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board the aircraft.

Keyamo said the aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was en route to Lagos from Benin when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13am on Monday.

In a statement posted on X, the minister said all efforts to establish radio contact with the aircraft initially proved unsuccessful before information emerged that it had crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.

He said the wreckage had been located while search and rescue operations were underway.

Keyamo added that although the regulation and control of military aircraft were outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, he had spoken with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged the ministry’s cooperation with the rescue operation.

NAF Activates Search And Rescue Operation

The Nigerian Air Force said it immediately activated a search and rescue operation following the crash.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.

He said the search and rescue operation was being conducted in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.

According to him, the NAF was committed to ensuring the success of the operation, adding that further details would be communicated as they became available.

LG Chairman, Police Confirm Crash

The Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Maurice Oripelaye, also confirmed the incident and said military equipment had been recovered from the crash site.

Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Sadare, Oripelaye attributed the crash to poor weather conditions, saying the pilot was reportedly attempting to manoeuvre before the aircraft crashed into a swampy area close to the water behind the Naval Base.

The state police spokesperson, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, also confirmed the incident but said details surrounding the crash were still emerging.

He urged residents of Igbokoda and adjoining communities to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information, assuring that the public would be informed as credible details became available.

Residents Recount Moment Of Crash

A resident of the area said the crash caused panic in the community after a loud sound was heard from the direction of the incident.

According to the resident, the swampy nature of the area made it difficult for people to immediately access the crash site.

He said residents later watched as police and military personnel arrived at the scene to commence rescue efforts.

Another resident, Oluboyo Olusola, said he visited the area after the crash and saw parts of the aircraft, clothes and what appeared to be human remains scattered around the site.

Monarch Fears No Survivor

The Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, said he initially feared that the aircraft might have been a commercial plane because of the potential number of casualties.

The monarch said he was in court when the incident occurred and directed palace officials to visit the crash site.

He said the aircraft crashed into a river and swampy area during rainfall, adding that a substantial part of the aircraft had gone into the water.

According to him, the aircraft did not catch fire, but preliminary information gathered from the area suggested that there might be no survivors.

Aiyedatiwa Mourns Victims

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, expressed sympathy to the Chief of the Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force and the families of the personnel and passengers involved in the crash.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the governor described the incident as deeply saddening and directed the State Emergency Management Agency, Ministry of Health and relevant security agencies to provide logistical and human support for the ongoing emergency response.

The governor also directed that the crash site be secured to allow rescue agencies to operate without hindrance.

He urged residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm, cooperate with emergency responders and refrain from spreading unverified information.

Tinubu Orders Investigation

President Bola Tinubu also expressed sadness over the crash and ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into its cause.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President extended his condolences to the families of the 25 passengers and seven crew members, as well as the Chief of the Air Staff and the entire Nigerian Air Force.

Tinubu described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the country, noting that military personnel put their lives on the line daily in the service of the nation.

He directed the Nigerian Air Force to commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash in order to prevent future occurrences.

The President also commended the NAF for activating search and rescue operations, as well as first responders and the Ondo State Government for their response at the crash site.

He prayed for the repose of the souls of those who died and expressed support for their families and the Nigerian Air Force.