NAF Aircraft Crashes in Ondo With 32 People on Board, Rescue Operation Underway
By Fact Harbour News
A Nigerian Air Force aircraft has crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, with 32 people reportedly on board, including 25 passengers and seven crew members.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the number of people aboard the aircraft on Monday, October 5, 2026, as authorities continued efforts to locate and assist those involved in the accident.
According to information released by the minister, the aircraft, identified by tail number NGR 931, was travelling from Benin towards Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at approximately 9:13 a.m.
Attempts to re-establish communication with the aircraft were unsuccessful before information emerged that it had crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
Keyamo said the wreckage had subsequently been located and that search-and-rescue operations were in progress.
The Nigerian Air Force separately confirmed that the aircraft involved was an ATR-42 operating a routine mission between Benin and Lagos. The force said it had immediately activated a search-and-rescue operation in collaboration with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.
At the time of the latest official updates, authorities had not released the identities of those aboard or confirmed whether there were fatalities or the extent of injuries resulting from the crash.
The Ondo State Police Command also urged members of the public to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information while emergency responders and security agencies worked to establish the full circumstances of the incident.
The crash occurred in the Igbokoda area, a coastal community in Ilaje Local Government Area. Reports from the scene indicated that the location of the wreckage was subsequently established close to the Naval Base.
Keyamo explained that the regulation and control of military aircraft fall outside the direct responsibility of his ministry and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority. He nevertheless said he had spoken with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and offered the ministry’s cooperation and assistance to the ongoing rescue efforts.
The incident has prompted attention from aviation and security authorities, with the immediate priority remaining the search for and assistance to everyone aboard the aircraft.
The Nigerian Air Force said additional information would be released as it becomes available.
The cause of the crash has also not been established. Any determination of what led to the accident would require an appropriate investigation by the relevant authorities.
The development comes as Nigeria continues to maintain a range of military aviation operations for transportation, surveillance, training and other national security responsibilities.
For now, officials are focused on the emergency response at Igbokoda, while families and members of the public await further information about the passengers and crew.
Fact Harbour News will update this report as credible information becomes available.
