32 Persons Aboard Military Aircraft That Crashed In Ondo — Keyamo

The Federal Government has confirmed that 32 people were aboard the military aircraft that crashed near Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, disclosed this in a statement, saying the aircraft, identified by registration number NGR 931, was flying from Benin to Lagos when contact was lost.

According to Keyamo, the aircraft disappeared from radar at about 9:13 a.m. after air traffic controllers were unable to re-establish communication with the crew.

He said the crash was subsequently confirmed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, where wreckage of the aircraft was discovered.

Search and rescue operations are currently underway at the crash site.

Keyamo said preliminary information indicated that the aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members.

The minister clarified that military aircraft are outside the regulatory jurisdiction of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

He added that he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, assuring him that the ministry would provide full cooperation and support for the ongoing rescue operation.