Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has directed state emergency, health and security agencies to provide immediate logistical and human support for the search-and-rescue operation following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area.
The ATR-42 aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, crashed in a swampy area opposite the Naval Base in Igbokoda on Monday while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed the accident, while the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard.
Keyamo said air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft at about 9:13am after attempts to re-establish radio communication failed. Information received afterwards indicated that the aircraft had crashed near the Naval Base.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and seven crew members on board,” Keyamo said.
Aiyedatiwa, in a statement, said he received the news with “deep sadness” and expressed sympathy to the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), the NAF and the families of the passengers and personnel aboard the aircraft.
The governor said he had been in contact with the Air Force leadership, the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Maurice Oripelaye, and security agencies at the crash site.
He directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ministry of Health and relevant security agencies to immediately mobilise personnel and resources to support the NAF and other emergency responders.
Aiyedatiwa also ordered that the crash site be cordoned off and secured to allow rescue operations to proceed without obstruction.
He appealed to residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm, cooperate with emergency responders and avoid circulating unverified information.
The NAF said it had activated an immediate search-and-rescue operation in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.
“The Nigerian Air Force has activated an immediate search-and-rescue operation following an ATR-42 aircraft accident in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State,” Ejodame said.
Keyamo said he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and assured the NAF of the ministry’s cooperation and assistance.
He also clarified that the regulation and control of military aircraft were outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
As of Monday afternoon, the identities and condition of those aboard had not been disclosed, while the cause of the crash remained unknown.
Keyamo said further details would be released as the search-and-rescue operation progressed.
“Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently,” he said.
The ATR-42 is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft used for regional and specialised operations, including surveillance and maritime patrol missions by the Nigerian Air Force.
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