The Federal Government has confirmed that 32 people were on board a Nigerian military aircraft that crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday.
The aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, reportedly disappeared from radar at about 9:13am while travelling from Benin to Lagos.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said Air Traffic Controllers lost contact with the aircraft after repeated attempts to establish communication with the crew failed.
Keyamo said the wreckage was later located near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, with search and rescue operations immediately launched.
He disclosed that preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard the aircraft.
“I regret to inform the general public that Air Traffic Controllers have informed me of the disappearance of a military aircraft with tail number NGR 931,” Keyamo said.
The minister said the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority had no regulatory control over military aircraft but assured that his ministry would cooperate with the military in the ongoing rescue operation.
Keyamo said he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged the ministry’s support.
Further details on the crash and the condition of those onboard are expected as rescue operations continue.
