The Federal Government has confirmed that 32 people were onboard a military aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the aircraft had disappeared from radar while travelling from Benin to Lagos.
According to Keyamo, air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft, identified by tail number NGR 931, at about 9:13 am after repeated attempts to establish radio communication with the crew failed.
He said the wreckage was later located near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, with search and rescue operations commencing at the crash site.
Keyamo’s statement reads:
“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 Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours earlier today. All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive.
“Subsequently, information confirmed that the military aircraft had 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 seven crew members on board.
“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 Kelvin Aneke, and pledged our total cooperation and assistance in the search and rescue efforts ongoing.
“Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently.”
