- Military aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo state.
- The aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and 7 crew members.
- Aircraft was on routine mission to Lagos.
A Nigerian military plane flying from Benin City to Lagos crashed on Monday in southwestern Ondo State, killing 25 passengers and seven crew members. President Bola Tinubu, confirming that there were no survivors, expressed "profound sadness" and extended condolences to the families of those aboard. "The Chief of Air Staff has briefed me, and I have directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences," Tinubu said in a statement.
A military aircraft crashed on Monday near a naval base in the swampy area of Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, with rescue operations underway at the scene. The aircraft, reportedly travelling from Benin to Lagos, crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda. The Aviation Minister said 32 people, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members, were aboard the aircraft. Footage from the crash site showed a severely burnt wreckage, while military equipment was reportedly scattered around the area. The condition of those aboard and the number of casualties have not been officially confirmed. Witnesses said the aircraft was seen circling several times before it crashed as rainfall intensified. However, the cause of the crash remains unknown. Military personnel from the nearby base are leading rescue efforts, although the swampy terrain has made access to the crash site difficult. The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that the aircraft belonged to the military and said rescue operations are ongoing as authorities work to establish the full circumstances of the incident. Visit https://t.co/EiKkmggTy3 to view more updates. #Igbokoda #OndoState #MilitaryAircraft #Nigeria
— The Guardian Nigeria (@GuardianNigeria) October 5, 2026
What happened with the ill-fated 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, enroute Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours earlier today. All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive. Subsequently information however confirmed that the military aircraft has crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The wreckage has been located and search and rescue operations are ongoing," said the aviation minister.
INFORMATION ON CRASH OF A MILITARY 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, enroute Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours earlier today. All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive. Subsequently information however confirmed that the military aircraft has crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The wreckage has been located and search and rescue operations are ongoing. Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board. Whilst the control and regulation of military aircraft are completely outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation, and Civil Aviation Authority, I have just spoken to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke and pledged our total cooperation and assistance in the search and rescue efforts ongoing. Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently.
— Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK) (@fkeyamo) October 5, 2026
It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties, or to what extent the aircraft was damaged.
The Nigerian Air Force identified the aircraft as an ATR-42, and it was not immediately clear to what extent the aircraft was damaged. "Search and rescue operations, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, are currently ongoing," said air force spokesperson Ehimen Ejodame.
"We heard something like a thunder strike"
Locals told The Associated Press the aircraft crashed near a river and that part of it was sinking in the water. "We heard something like a thunder strike," said Akinbulejo Pius, a witness. "The plane cleared some trees. We found some body parts, some clothes and shoes."
Keyamo said the aircraft first disappeared from radar at around 9 am local time, and that it was found to have crashed close to a naval base.
The Nigerian military has in the past used the ATR-42 for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and for transporting personnel and supplies.
(With inputs from agencies)