Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 Crashes Near Igbokoda, 32 on Board

A Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying 32 people has crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, after losing contact with air traffic controllers while travelling from Benin City to Lagos.

The aircraft, identified by the Nigerian Air Force as an ATR-42, was on what officials described as a routine mission when contact was lost at about 9:13 a.m. on Monday. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said the aircraft had tail number NGR 931 and that attempts to re-establish radio communication were unsuccessful before authorities received confirmation that it had crashed near the naval facility.

Keyamo said preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard, bringing the total number of people on the aircraft to 32. The Nigerian Air Force subsequently confirmed the accident and said it had activated an immediate search-and-rescue operation in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency agencies.

The wreckage has been located in the Igbokoda area, in a swampy environment close to the naval base. Local reports and images from the scene indicated that parts of the aircraft were scattered around the crash site, with emergency teams moving into the area to establish what happened and locate those aboard.

As of the latest official updates, there has been no confirmed casualty figure and no official confirmation of survivors. The Air Force has not released the identities of the passengers or crew, and authorities have urged the public to avoid circulating unverified information while rescue teams work at the scene.

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has directed state emergency agencies, health officials and security authorities to support the rescue operation. He also ordered that the crash site be secured to allow emergency personnel to work and appealed to residents around Igbokoda to cooperate with responders.

The incident initially generated conflicting descriptions of the aircraft, with some early reports referring to a helicopter. The Nigerian Air Force later clarified that the aircraft involved was an ATR-42, a twin-engine turboprop aircraft that the service has used for transport and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

The cause of the crash has not been established. Officials have not attributed the incident to mechanical failure, weather, pilot error or any other specific factor, and no indication of hostile action has been given. An investigation will be required to establish what happened after the aircraft disappeared from radar and why communication could not be restored.

The crash comes as Nigeria continues to rely heavily on military aviation for transport, surveillance and operations across a country where the armed forces routinely move personnel and equipment over long distances. The ATR-42 involved in the incident is among the aircraft used by the Air Force for such missions, making the condition and maintenance of military aviation assets an issue likely to receive renewed attention after the immediate rescue effort.

For now, the priority remains the people aboard the aircraft and the rescue operation at Igbokoda. Authorities are expected to provide further information as teams gain access to the crash site and establish the condition of the passengers and crew.

The significance of the incident extends beyond the immediate tragedy and the search for those aboard. A military aircraft disappearing from radar during a routine domestic mission underscores the risks faced by personnel operating Nigeria's aviation fleet and the importance of rapid emergency coordination. The eventual investigation will be closely watched for answers about the aircraft's final moments, while the first responsibility remains clear: account for every person on board and provide families with verified information.