Nigerian military aircraft crashes in Ondo, killing all 32 on board

All 32 people on board a Nigerian military aircraft were killed when it crashed in southwestern Ondo state on Monday, in one of the country’s deadliest air disasters in recent years.

The Air Force ATR-42 was on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at 0813 GMT on Monday, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said, Reuters reported. The aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, and wreckage was later located near the coastal town of Igbokoda, close to a naval base.

President Bola Tinubu confirmed there were no survivors, expressing “profound sadness” and extending 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,” he said in a statement.

Keyamo said the aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, disappeared from radar while en route to Lagos, Peoples Gazette reported. He noted that regulation of military aircraft falls outside his ministry’s mandate but pledged its full support for the rescue effort after speaking with the Chief of the Air Staff.

The Nigerian Air Force confirmed a search-and-rescue operation was under way. A spokesman said further details would be communicated in due course.