32 Souls Onboard: Military ATR-42 Crashes In Ondo On Routine Mission From Benin To Lagos
A Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying 32 people has crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday, October 5, 2026.
The aircraft, identified as an ATR-42 with tail number NGR 931 [ATR 42-500 Surveyor], was on a routine mission travelling from Benin, Edo State to Lagos when the accident occurred.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft at about 9:13 a.m. and all efforts to raise it on radio proved abortive before confirmation came that it had crashed. He later confirmed that the wreckage had been located close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
Preliminary information indicates there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board, making 32 people in total.
The Nigerian Air Force, through its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed ownership of the aircraft and said it had activated an immediate Search and Rescue operation in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.
The crash site is described as a difficult, swampy, riverine area opposite the naval base, which is making rescue efforts challenging. The chairman of Ilaje LGA, Maurice Oripelaye, told journalists that military equipment had been recovered and the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
As of Monday evening, there is no official confirmation of casualties or survivors by NAF. The NAF said further details will be communicated in due course. However, some unconfirmed reports claim all 32 onboard died. The Ondo State Police Command has urged residents to stay calm and avoid spreading unverified information.
