An aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has crashed in Ondo State, killing all 32 passengers on board.
The aircraft crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State in the early hours of Monday while on a “routine mission”.
The Nigerian Air Force confirmed the incident in a statement by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Ehimen Ejodame.
The federal government has also confirmed the tragic incident and put the number of those killed in the mishap at 32.
The confirmation was contained in a statement issued by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
He disclosed that Air Traffic Controllers had earlier reported that the military aircraft vanished while it was en route from Benin to Lagos with 25 passengers and 7 crew members.
According to him, the aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, disappeared from radar at about 9:13am after repeated efforts to establish radio communication with the crew failed.
His statement reads, “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, en route from Lagos to Benin at 0913 hours earlier today. All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive.
“Subsequently, information, however, confirmed that the military aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The wreckage has been located, and search and rescue operations are ongoing.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board.
“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.
“Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently.”
