Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo confirmed on Monday afternoon, October 5, that a military aircraft carrying 32 people crashed in Ondo State. The aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, disappeared from radar while flying from Benin to Lagos and went down near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
Incident Details and Minister's Confirmation
Keyamo disclosed the incident through a post on his verified X account, stating that Air Traffic Controllers first alerted him after the aircraft vanished from contact at 9:13 a.m. while on a flight from Benin to Lagos. All attempts to reach the crew by radio failed. Later information confirmed the aircraft went down close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
Preliminary reports put the number of people on board at 32, made up of 25 passengers and seven crew members. The wreckage has since been found, and search and rescue teams are active at the site.
Minister's Response and Coordination
Keyamo noted that military aircraft fall outside the jurisdiction of his ministry and the civil aviation authority. He said he reached out directly to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and committed the ministry's full support to the ongoing rescue operation.
The minister added that more details would be released as the situation develops. He pledged full cooperation as search and rescue operations continue at the crash site.
Impact and Next Steps
The crash has raised concerns about military aviation safety in the region. Search and rescue teams remain active, and further updates are expected from the minister and relevant authorities. The incident underscores the importance of coordination between civil and military aviation authorities in emergency response.
