The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has confirmed that a military aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, after it disappeared from radar while travelling from Benin to Lagos.
In a statement released by the ministry on Monday, Keyamo said the aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, went off radar at about 9:13 am after air traffic controllers lost contact with it.
“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, en route to Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours earlier today. All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive,” he said.
The minister said the aircraft was later confirmed to have crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
“The wreckage has been located, and search and rescue operations are ongoing,” Keyamo stated.
He said early information showed that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board the aircraft.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board,” he said.
Keyamo, however, noted that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority do not control or regulate military aircraft.
“Whilst the control and regulation of military aircraft are completely outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation and the Civil Aviation Authority, I have just spoken to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, and pledged our total cooperation and assistance in the search and rescue efforts ongoing,” he said.
He added that more details would be shared as they come.
“Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently.”
