Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has confirmed the crash of a military aircraft near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
Keyamo disclosed this in a statement posted on his X account on Monday, saying the aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was en route from Benin to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13 a.m.
According to the minister, all efforts to establish radio contact with the aircraft initially proved unsuccessful before information later confirmed that it had crashed close to the naval base in Igbokoda.
He said the wreckage had been located, while search and rescue operations were ongoing.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board,” Keyamo said.
The minister noted that the control and regulation of military aircraft fall outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
He, however, said he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged the ministry’s “total cooperation and assistance” in the ongoing search and rescue efforts.
Keyamo said further information on the incident would be made available subsequently.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has expressed concern over the crash of a Nigeria Air Force NGR931 aircraft at Igbokoda, Ondo State, with about 32 people reportedly on board.
In a statement, NCAA Director-General Capt. Chris Najomo expressed sympathy to personnel of the Nigeria Air Force, occupants of the aircraft, their families, and others affected by the incident.
The NCAA clarified that military aviation operations fall outside its regulatory and operational mandate but said it was ready to support the national response to the crash.
“Accordingly, the NCAA stands ready to provide such technical expertise and assistance as may be required to support the ongoing search and rescue operations,” Najomo said.
The authority said it was closely monitoring developments and would continue to work with relevant government agencies in line with established national emergency response protocols.
Najomo said the NCAA remained hopeful for a positive outcome and successful rescue of those involved.
“At this difficult time, the Authority stands in solidarity with the Nigeria Air Force and all those directly affected by this incident. We remain hopeful for a positive outcome and pray for the safety and successful rescue of all involved,” he said.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
