A tragic military plane crash occurred on Monday in a swampy area opposite the Naval Base at Igbokoda, Ondo State, claiming the lives of all 32 occupants on board, including military personnel, crew members, and their families.
The ATR-42 aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was on a routine logistics mission from Benin to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at approximately 9:13 a.m.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed that the flight carried 25 passengers—including school children and relatives visiting service members—alongside seven crew members.
Local government authorities and eyewitnesses reported that poor weather conditions severely hampered the pilot, leading to the crash into the waterlogged terrain.
In the wake of the tragedy, President Bola Tinubu expressed profound sorrow and declared a three-day national mourning period, directing that all national flags be flown at half-mast.
The President also ordered an immediate and thorough investigation by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to determine the exact cause of the accident.
First responders, state security agencies, and local emergency teams were swiftly deployed to the scene following directives from Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who mobilized full state support to aid the ongoing search and recovery operations.
Local residents and community leaders described scenes of panic and devastation as the aircraft went down.
The Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, noted that while the crash site was fortunately located away from the heavily populated town center, the plane was largely submerged in the swamp.
Eyewitness accounts and local authorities confirmed that military gear, aircraft debris, and personal belongings were recovered from the site, with officials expressing grave fears that there were no survivors among the 32 victims.
The Nigerian Air Force activated an immediate Search and Rescue operation in coordination with local emergency agencies, though military authorities faced initial delays in releasing the names of the dead due to the presence of civilian passengers on board.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, assured the public that comprehensive rescue efforts and investigations are actively underway.
Meanwhile, state police and local government officials urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information as official updates continue to emerge from the disaster zone.
