Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has disclosed that 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard the military aircraft that crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday.
The aircraft, which was reportedly travelling from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos, crashed close to the naval facility in the coastal community.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) had earlier confirmed that the aircraft belonged to the military, amid reports that it had gone missing while on its scheduled flight.
Keyamo, in a statement posted on X, said air traffic controllers initially alerted authorities after efforts to establish communication with the aircraft failed.
“All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive,” Keyamo said.
He added that subsequent information confirmed the crash near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, while the
“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.”
The minister said additional details on the incident would be made available as they emerge.
The crash reportedly triggered panic among residents of Igbokoda and surrounding coastal communities.
The aircraft was said to be configured for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, as well as air maritime missions.
