Nigeria Military Aircraft Crash Live Update: A routine military flight from Benin to Lagos turned into a major emergency on Monday after a Nigerian Air Force aircraft disappeared from radar and crashed near Igbokoda in Ondo State. The aircraft was carrying 32 people, including 25 passengers and seven crew members, when authorities lost contact with it.
The Nigerian Air Force later identified the aircraft as an ATR-42 and said it had been operating a routine mission. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft at about 9:13 AM local time before authorities located the wreckage close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda. Search and rescue teams were immediately sent to the area.
Authorities had not immediately confirmed any casualties, while emergency teams continued working at the crash site. Reports from the area indicate that the aircraft went down near a river, with parts of the wreckage reportedly entering the water.
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Nigeria Military Aircraft Crash: Nigeria Military Aircraft Crashes Near Igbokoda Naval Base
The aircraft was travelling from Benin City in Edo State towards Lagos when it lost contact with air traffic control. Keyamo said controllers made repeated attempts to establish communication but could not reach the aircraft.
The wreckage was eventually located close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, a riverside community in Ondo State. The Nigerian Air Force then confirmed that the aircraft belonged to the service and activated a search and rescue operation.
The Air Force spokesperson, Ehimen Ejodame, said, “Search and rescue operations, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, are currently ongoing.”
The Air Force said the aircraft had been flying a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
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