The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that an ATR-42 military aircraft crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State while carrying out a routine flight from Benin to Lagos.
The aircraft lost contact with air traffic controllers at about 9:13 a.m. on Monday, October 5, before it was later located in the Igbokoda area. The Nigerian Air Force immediately launched a search and rescue operation in collaboration with relevant authorities and emergency agencies.
The aircraft was reportedly carrying 32 people — 25 passengers and seven crew members. Later reports confirmed that there were no survivors, making the incident one of Nigeria’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent years.
Following the tragedy, President Bola Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and directed the Nigerian Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash.
The authorities have also continued efforts to recover the remains of the victims and secure the crash site as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident proceed.
The crash has left the Nigerian military and the families of those on board mourning, with further details expected as the investigation progresses.
