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At least 32 people, including 25 passengers and seven crew members, have been confirmed dead after a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft crashed in a swampy area near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13am on Monday.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the deaths, saying the wreckage was located near the Naval Base after efforts to establish radio contact with the aircraft failed.
Sources said the aircraft was also carrying family members of military personnel serving in Edo and Delta states, including children who were returning to school.
The development reportedly delayed the release of the identities of the victims as military authorities were said to be making efforts to establish contact with the families of civilian passengers who were on board.
The Nigerian Air Force had earlier confirmed the accident and said it activated an immediate search and rescue operation in collaboration with relevant authorities and emergency agencies.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred, adding that further details would be released as the rescue operation progressed.
However, local authorities and residents said the crash occurred in difficult swampy terrain during rainy weather.
Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Maurice Oripelaye, said preliminary findings indicated that poor weather may have affected the pilot while attempting to manoeuvre the aircraft.
The state police spokesperson, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, confirmed the incident but urged residents to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information while efforts continued to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Residents described hearing a loud sound from the crash site before discovering parts of the aircraft and other debris scattered around the swamp.
The Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, said the aircraft crashed into a swampy and waterlogged area during rainfall, with a substantial part of the aircraft submerged.
President Bola Tinubu expressed sadness over the crash and extended condolences to the families of the victims, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the entire Nigerian Air Force.
Tinubu directed the NAF to immediately commence a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash and prevent a recurrence.
The President also commended the Nigerian Air Force, first responders and the Ondo State Government for their response to the incident.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State also mourned the victims and directed the State Emergency Management Agency, Ministry of Health and relevant security agencies to provide logistical and human support to the ongoing emergency response.
Aiyedatiwa ordered that the crash site be secured and cordoned off to allow rescue and recovery personnel to operate without hindrance.
He urged residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to cooperate with emergency agencies and refrain from spreading unverified information.
The tragedy has thrown the coastal community into panic, while authorities continue efforts to recover the victims and aircraft wreckage and establish the full circumstances surrounding the crash.
