The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed a helicopter crash in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, on Monday, October 5, 2026. The command's spokesman, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, issued an official statement confirming the incident and noting that the full circumstances surrounding the crash are yet to be determined.
Police Confirm Crash and Launch Investigation
In his statement, Jimoh said: "The Ondo State Police Command confirms the reported aircraft crash in the Igbokoda axis of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday, 5th October 2026. Details surrounding the incident are still emerging, as efforts to establish the full circumstances continue."
He called on residents of Igbokoda and nearby communities to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information. Jimoh assured the public that updates would be provided once credible details become available.
Crash Site in Remote Creek Area
A source with knowledge of the incident said some of the helicopter's occupants may have been killed, though the total number of casualties could not be confirmed at the time of reporting. Security personnel, including police and military operatives, were deployed to the location to carry out a rescue operation.
A resident who witnessed the aftermath described the conditions at the site as extremely difficult to access. "It happened this morning. We heard a very loud sound in the area where the incident occurred, but we could not get there because the place is a swampy area inside the creek; we are just looking at it from afar," the resident said.
Rescue Efforts and Challenges
The resident also noted that the arrival of security forces gave some hope of recovery efforts, but expressed doubt about the survival of those on board the aircraft. The helicopter reportedly went down in a swampy stretch of the creek within the Igbokoda area, a geography known to present significant challenges for emergency responders in the region.
The police said further information would be made available to the public as the investigation progresses.
