A Nigerian Air Force military aircraft has crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, with 32 people reported to have been aboard the aircraft.
The incident occurred on Monday, October 5, 2026, during a routine flight from Benin to Lagos. The aircraft later crashed close to a naval base in Igbokoda after air traffic controllers lost contact with it.
The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development confirmed that the aircraft had disappeared from radar at about 9:13 a.m., prompting efforts to establish its location. The wreckage was subsequently located near the naval facility, where emergency teams began search and rescue operations.
32 People Were Reportedly on Board
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said preliminary information showed that the aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, bringing the total number of people aboard to 32.
The minister said he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged the support of the aviation ministry to the ongoing emergency response.
The Nigerian Air Force also confirmed that search and rescue teams were working with relevant authorities and emergency agencies following the accident.
At the time of the initial official reports, authorities had not released a confirmed casualty figure.
Aircraft Crashed Near Igbokoda Naval Base
The aircraft, identified as an ATR-42, was operating a routine military mission when communication with air traffic controllers was lost.
According to information released by the aviation minister, attempts to re-establish radio contact were unsuccessful before authorities received confirmation that the aircraft had gone down near the naval base.
The location presented difficulties for responders because the crash occurred around a coastal and swampy area.
Local residents described hearing a loud sound around the time of the incident, while reports from the scene indicated that debris from the aircraft could be seen around the crash area.
Rescue Teams Move to the Crash Site
Following confirmation of the accident, security agencies and emergency responders moved towards the crash site.
The Nigerian Air Force said its personnel were coordinating with other relevant authorities in an effort to locate and assist those aboard the aircraft.
The Ondo State Police Command also confirmed the crash and urged residents around Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm while authorities worked to establish what happened.
Police spokesman DSP Abayomi Jimoh cautioned members of the public against circulating unverified information as the response operation continued.
Conflicting Reports Over Casualties
As news of the crash spread, reports emerged suggesting that some or all of those aboard may have died.
However, those claims had not been officially confirmed in the initial statements from government and military authorities.
The Aviation Ministry said search and rescue operations were still ongoing, while the Nigerian Air Force did not immediately provide a casualty figure.
This distinction is important as emergency teams continued working at the crash location and authorities attempted to establish the full circumstances surrounding the accident.
What Happened to the Aircraft?
The precise cause of the crash had not been established at the time of the initial reports.
The aircraft was travelling between Benin and Lagos when contact was lost. Authorities have yet to provide details about what happened during the final stages of the flight or whether weather, mechanical problems, operational issues or another factor contributed to the accident.
An investigation will be required to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has also indicated that its technical expertise could be made available to the military if requested, although the investigation of the military aircraft itself falls under military authorities.
Military Aircraft Used for Routine Operations
The ATR-42 is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft that the Nigerian military has used for different operational purposes, including transportation and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities.
The crash therefore involves an aircraft used as part of Nigeria’s military aviation operations rather than a commercial passenger flight.
The incident has nevertheless raised significant concern because of the number of people reported to have been aboard and the difficult terrain around the crash site.
Authorities Await More Information
For now, attention remains focused on the search and rescue operation and the identification of everyone who was aboard the aircraft.
The initial official figure of 32 people — 25 passengers and seven crew members — provides the clearest indication of the scale of the incident, although authorities had not released a confirmed death toll at the time of the initial reports.
Further details are expected as rescue teams complete their work and investigators begin examining the wreckage.
The Ondo crash has already become a major aviation incident in Nigeria, but authorities have urged the public to rely on verified information while the rescue and investigation processes continue.
