Several people are feared dead after a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crashed into a river in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday.
The crash triggered panic among residents of the coastal community as search-and-rescue operations continued to locate and assist those on board.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed that the aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, had 25 passengers and seven crew members on board.
Keyamo said the aircraft disappeared after air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13 a.m. while it was en route to Lagos from Benin, Edo State.
According to the minister, repeated attempts to establish radio contact with the aircraft were unsuccessful before information was received that it had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
He said the wreckage had subsequently been located.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and seven crew members on board,” Keyamo said.
The minister, however, did not disclose the identities or condition of those on board, stressing that search-and-rescue operations were still ongoing.
Keyamo explained that the regulation and control of military aircraft were outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
He said he had spoken with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, and assured that the ministry would provide full cooperation and assistance to the ongoing rescue operation.
“Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently,” he said.
The Nigerian Air Force also confirmed the accident, saying it had immediately activated a search-and-rescue operation following the crash involving an ATR-42 aircraft.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
“The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has activated an immediate Search and Rescue operation following an ATR-42 aircraft accident in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on 5 October 2026,” the statement said.
“The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred. Search and Rescue operations, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, are currently ongoing.
“Further details will be communicated in due course.”
The aircraft is understood to be used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, as well as air maritime operations.
The Ondo State Police Command had earlier confirmed the incident, saying details were still emerging.
A community leader also confirmed the crash, although he said residents had yet to establish its exact location and other circumstances surrounding the incident.
“Yes, it is true. A helicopter crashed at Igbokoda, Ondo State. But we don’t know the exact place and other details,” the community leader said.
Residents later reported that the crash occurred in a swampy area opposite a naval base.
As of Monday evening, search-and-rescue operations were still ongoing, with authorities expected to provide further information on the fate of the passengers and crew.
