About 32 people are feared dead following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft with tail number NGR 931 in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday.
The military aircraft, identified as an ATR-42, was travelling from Benin to Lagos when it crashed at about 9:13am near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said Air Traffic Controllers confirmed the crash and that the wreckage had been located and searched.
According to Keyamo, preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard the aircraft when the accident occurred, while rescue efforts were still ongoing.
The Minister said, “Whilst the control and regulation of military aircraft are completely outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation and the 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.”
The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau also confirmed the accident in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Funke Arowojobe.
The NSIB said the Nigerian Air Force confirmed that the aircraft was conducting a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the crash occurred.
It added that search and rescue operations had been activated and were being carried out with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.
The bureau expressed condolences to the Nigerian Air Force, as well as the families and colleagues of those on board.
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It said, “Our thoughts are with them, and with the search and rescue teams working at the site.
The NSIB also offered to provide technical assistance to the Nigerian Air Force if requested.
Such support, it said, could involve deploying investigators and using its Flight Safety Laboratory to recover, read out and analyse data from the aircraft’s flight recorders.
It said, “As this occurrence involves a military aircraft, investigative responsibility rests with the Nigerian Air Force. The Bureau will provide assistance upon a formal request from the Air Force.”
The bureau urged members of the public to rely exclusively on information released by the Nigerian Air Force concerning the incident.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority also expressed sadness over the crash and extended its thoughts and prayers to the Nigerian Air Force personnel, occupants of the aircraft, their families and others affected by the incident.
The NCAA noted that military aviation operations fall outside its regulatory and operational mandate but said it remained committed to supporting the national response.
In a statement signed by its Director General, Captain Chris Najomo, the authority said it was prepared to provide technical expertise and other assistance required to support the ongoing search and rescue operation.
“The NCAA is closely monitoring developments and will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities and agencies in accordance with established national emergency response protocols.”