The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that an ATR-42 aircraft belonging to the service crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The incident occurred on Monday, October 5, 2026, while the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The confirmation came after Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, earlier disclosed that a military aircraft with registration number NGR 931 had crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
Keyamo said the aircraft disappeared from communication at about 9:13 a.m. while en route to Lagos, prompting air traffic controllers to alert the relevant authorities after attempts to establish radio contact failed.
According to the minister, the wreckage was subsequently located close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, while search and rescue operations were activated.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and seven crew members on board,” Keyamo said.
The minister, however, did not announce any confirmed casualty figure.
In a separate statement, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed that the aircraft belonged to the Nigerian Air Force.
“The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has activated an immediate Search and Rescue operation following an ATR-42 aircraft accident in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on 5 October 2026,” Ejodame said.
He said the aircraft was carrying out a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
“The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred. Search and Rescue operations, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, are currently ongoing,” the statement added.
The NAF said efforts were ongoing to locate and assist those who may have been affected by the crash.
“The NAF is committed to ensuring the success of the ongoing Search and Rescue efforts. Further details will be communicated in due course,” Ejodame said.
Keyamo also clarified that the control and regulation of military aircraft fall outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
He said he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and assured the Nigerian Air Force of the ministry’s “total cooperation and assistance” in the ongoing search and rescue operation.
“Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently,” the minister added.
