A Nigerian military plane crashed near the coastal town of Igbokoda in Ondo state on Monday, killing all 32 people on board. The ATR-42 aircraft was flying from Benin City to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at 0813 GMT, according to Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo.
The passengers included 25 military personnel and seven crew members. President Bola Tinubu confirmed there were no survivors and expressed what he called “profound sadness.” He 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.
Search and rescue teams located the wreckage near Igbokoda, a town along Nigeria’s southwestern coast. The military aircraft was on a routine mission when the accident occurred. Officials have not disclosed the exact cause of the crash.
This incident ranks among the deadliest air disasters in Nigeria in recent years. The Nigerian Air Force has taken control of the investigation, with President Tinubu demanding swift action.
The ATR-42 is a twin-turboprop regional aircraft commonly used for military and civilian purposes. Details about weather conditions or technical issues at the time of the crash have not been released.
The Nigerian government has yet to announce a timeline for the investigation’s findings. Families of the victims are awaiting further information amid growing concern over the safety of military aviation operations.
The tragedy adds to a string of aviation accidents in Nigeria, raising questions about maintenance and operational standards in the country’s air fleet.
The Nigerian Air Force has not commented beyond confirming the crash and the directive to investigate. The Aviation Ministry is monitoring the situation, but no further updates have been provided.
The loss of 32 service members and crew marks a significant blow to the Nigerian military. The government’s response will be watched closely as the investigation unfolds.
According to Joy Online.
