Ondo Military Aircraft Crash: 25 Passengers, 7 Crew Aboard — Keyamo
A total of 32 people — 25 passengers and seven crew members — were on board the military aircraft that crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this as search and rescue operations continued at the crash site.
Keyamo, in a statement posted on X, said air traffic controllers raised the alarm after the aircraft disappeared from communication and repeated attempts to establish contact with the crew through radio failed.
He said authorities subsequently confirmed that the aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, with the wreckage later located.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and seven crew members on board,” the minister said.
Keyamo added that search and rescue efforts were ongoing, noting that he had spoken with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, over the incident.
He pledged the full cooperation of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development in the rescue operation.
The Nigerian Air Force had earlier confirmed that the aircraft belonged to the military and was conducting a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos when the crash occurred.
The incident triggered panic in Igbokoda after the aircraft went down near the naval base.
The aircraft was reportedly configured for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), as well as air maritime operations.
Authorities had yet to disclose the condition of those aboard or confirm whether there were casualties as of the time of filing this report.
Keyamo said further details would be made available as more information emerged.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this as search and rescue operations continued at the crash site.
Keyamo, in a statement posted on X, said air traffic controllers raised the alarm after the aircraft disappeared from communication and repeated attempts to establish contact with the crew through radio failed.
He said authorities subsequently confirmed that the aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, with the wreckage later located.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and seven crew members on board,” the minister said.
Keyamo added that search and rescue efforts were ongoing, noting that he had spoken with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, over the incident.
He pledged the full cooperation of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development in the rescue operation.
The Nigerian Air Force had earlier confirmed that the aircraft belonged to the military and was conducting a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos when the crash occurred.
The incident triggered panic in Igbokoda after the aircraft went down near the naval base.
The aircraft was reportedly configured for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), as well as air maritime operations.
Authorities had yet to disclose the condition of those aboard or confirm whether there were casualties as of the time of filing this report.
Keyamo said further details would be made available as more information emerged.
