32 People Aboard Military Aircraft That Crashed In Ondo — Keyamo

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has disclosed that 32 people were on board a Nigerian military aircraft that crashed in Ondo State on Monday.

The aircraft, with registration number NGR 931, was reportedly travelling from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13 a.m.

Keyamo disclosed the development in a statement shared on Monday, saying preliminary information indicated that the aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members.

According to the minister, efforts by air traffic controllers to establish communication with the aircraft proved unsuccessful before information later confirmed that it had crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

“The wreckage has been located and search and rescue operations are ongoing,” Keyamo said.

He added that the casualty figure had not yet been established as rescue personnel continued operations at the crash site.

Keyamo explained that the control and regulation of military aircraft were outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development as well as the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

However, 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 in the ongoing search and rescue operation.

“Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently,” the minister said.

The Nigerian Air Force had earlier confirmed that the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the incident occurred.

Authorities are expected to provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the crash and the condition of those on board as search and rescue operations continue.