By Philip Nwosu

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that one of its ATR-42 aircraft crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

The incident occurred on Monday, October 5, 2026, according to the NAF.

The service had earlier activated an immediate Search and Rescue operation following the accident and is coordinating the response with relevant authorities and emergency agencies.

The NAF said efforts were ongoing at the crash location as part of the Search and Rescue operation.

The aircraft was reportedly conducting a routine flight from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.

The NAF has yet to release further details on the circumstances surrounding the crash or the status of the occupants.

The service said additional information would be communicated as the Search and Rescue operation progresses.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who confirmed the crash of the military aircraft in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, with 32 people on board.

Keyamo said the aircraft, with registration number NGR 931, disappeared while travelling from Benin to Lagos at about 9:13 a.m. on Monday.

According to the minister, air traffic controllers raised the alarm after attempts to establish radio contact with the aircraft failed.

He said subsequent information confirmed that the aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, with the wreckage located.

Keyamo said search and rescue operations were ongoing at the scene.

“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and seven crew members on board,” he said.

The minister clarified that the control and regulation of military aircraft fall outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

He, however, said he had spoken with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and assured that the ministry would provide its “total cooperation and assistance” in the ongoing search and rescue operation.

“Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently,” Keyamo added.

The incident follows an earlier confirmation by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) that an ATR-42 aircraft on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos had crashed in the Igbokoda area.

The NAF said it had activated an immediate Search and Rescue operation in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.