ONDO, Nigeria — Schoolchildren returning to school and family members of military personnel serving in Edo and Delta states were among the 32 people killed when a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed into a swamp near the Naval Base at Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The aircraft, which went down on Monday morning, October 5, 2026, was carrying airmen, soldiers and their relatives, reports Vanguard.
Sources said the aircraft was on a logistics mission from Benin to Lagos in connection with Nigerian Air Force operations and also provided an opportunity for families of military personnel to travel to Lagos.
The presence of civilian passengers was said to have contributed to the delay in releasing the identities of those on board, as military authorities were reportedly making efforts to notify their families before publishing the names.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed that 32 people — 25 passengers and seven crew members — were aboard the aircraft.
Keyamo said air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, at about 9:13am while it was travelling from Benin to Lagos.
He said efforts to re-establish radio contact failed before information was received that the aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base at Igbokoda.
“Subsequently information, however, confirmed that the military aircraft crashed close to the Naval Base at Igbokoda, Ondo State. The wreckage has been located and search and rescue operations are ongoing,” Keyamo said.
The Nigerian Air Force had earlier confirmed that the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos and said it had activated search and rescue operations in conjunction with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said further details would be released as the operation progressed.
The aircraft crashed into a swampy area opposite the Naval Base, with residents reporting a loud impact and describing scenes of panic in the coastal community.
One resident said people heard a loud sound from the direction of the crash but were unable to immediately reach the site because of the difficult swampy terrain.
Another resident, Oluboyo Olusola, said he saw parts of the aircraft, clothes and what appeared to be human remains scattered around the crash site.
The Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, said the aircraft crashed into a waterlogged swamp during rainfall.
The monarch said a substantial portion of the aircraft had gone into the water and that, based on information available to him, there appeared to be no survivors.
However, the circumstances surrounding the crash have not been conclusively established.
The chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Maurice Oripelaye, through his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Sadare, said initial findings suggested that poor weather may have affected the pilot.
“Our findings showed that it was poor weather condition that affected the pilot,” he said, adding that the pilot was reportedly trying to manoeuvre before the aircraft crashed into the swampy area near the Naval Base.
The claim has not been established as the official cause of the crash, with President Bola Tinubu ordering a thorough investigation.
The Ondo State Police Command also confirmed the incident and urged residents to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information while investigations and rescue operations continued.
Police spokesman, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said details surrounding the crash were still emerging and that the command would provide credible information as it became available.
Aiyedatiwa orders emergency support
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa expressed sadness over the crash and extended condolences to the Chief of Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force and the families of the victims.
The governor directed the State Emergency Management Agency, Ministry of Health and relevant security agencies to mobilise logistical and human support for the ongoing operations.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said Aiyedatiwa had also directed that the crash site be secured and cordoned off to allow emergency personnel to work without hindrance.
He urged residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to cooperate with emergency responders and refrain from spreading unverified information.
Tinubu declares national mourning, orders probe
President Bola Tinubu, reacting to the tragedy, expressed profound sadness over the loss of the military personnel and other passengers.
The President extended his condolences to the families of the 25 passengers and seven crew members, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the entire Nigerian Air Force.
“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation. Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” Tinubu said.
The President directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash and ordered a three-day national mourning for the victims.
He also directed that flags be flown at half-mast nationwide in honour of those who died.
Tinubu commended the Nigerian Air Force for activating its search and rescue operation, as well as first responders and the Ondo State Government for their response at the crash site.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims and for God to grant their families and colleagues the strength to bear the loss.
The Nigerian Air Force is expected to release the identities of the victims after their families have been notified.
