Thirty-two people were aboard the military aircraft that crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has said.
The aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was travelling from Benin to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13am.
Keyamo disclosed this in a statement on his official X handle on Monday, October 5, following confirmation that the aircraft had crashed in the Igbokoda area.
According to the minister, preliminary information indicated that the aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members when it went down.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board,” he wrote.
The minister said the aircraft’s disappearance was first reported after repeated attempts by air traffic controllers to establish radio contact failed.
“I regret to inform the general public that Air Traffic Controllers have informed me of the disappearance of a military aircraft with tail number NGR 931, enroute Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours earlier today. All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive,” he stated.
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Keyamo said the wreckage had subsequently been located close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, with search and rescue operations underway.
“Subsequently information however confirmed that the military aircraft has crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The wreckage has been located and search and rescue operations are ongoing,” Keyamo explained.
He clarified that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority do not control or regulate military aircraft.
Despite this, Keyamo said he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged the ministry’s support for the ongoing rescue efforts.
“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.
The minister said further details about the crash would be released as more information becomes available.
“Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently,” he concluded.