President Bola Tinubu has ordered an immediate investigation into the crash of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, which had 32 people on board.
The aircraft, which was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, crashed near a naval base on Monday morning while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
Tinubu expressed sadness over the incident and commiserated with the families of those on board, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the Nigerian Air Force.
The President described the crash as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the country, saying military personnel risked their lives daily to protect Nigeria.
“Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” Tinubu said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, adding that the President said Aneke had briefed him on the incident.
He directed the NAF to immediately investigate the cause of the crash to prevent a recurrence.
Tinubu also assured the Air Force of the administration’s continued support in carrying out its responsibilities and commended first responders and the Ondo State Government for their response at the crash site.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft at about 9.13am.
He said attempts to re-establish contact failed before authorities received reports that the aircraft had crashed near the naval base in Igbokoda.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and seven crew members on board,” Keyamo said.
The minister said the identities and condition of those on board had not been established as search-and-rescue operations continued.
The NAF also confirmed the crash, saying it had activated an immediate search-and-rescue operation in collaboration with relevant authorities and emergency 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,” the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said.
Keyamo said he had spoken with the Chief of the Air Staff and assured the NAF of the ministry’s support for the rescue operation.
He also clarified that military aircraft operations are outside the regulatory jurisdiction of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
Neither the NAF nor the ministry disclosed the cause of the crash or confirmed any casualties as of Monday afternoon.
Keyamo said more information would be released as the 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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