Military Aircraft With 32 Aboard Crashes in Ondo – Keyamo

A Nigerian military aircraft with 32 people on board has crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said on Monday.

In a post on X, Keyamo said air traffic controllers informed him of the disappearance of the aircraft with tail number NGR 931, en route Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours.

“All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive,” Keyamo said.

“Subsequently, information, however, confirmed that the military aircraft has crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The wreckage has been located and search and rescue operations are ongoing.”

Keyamo said, ” Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board.”

He added that “Whilst the control and regulation of military aircraft are completely outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation and 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.”

INFORMATION ON CRASH OF A MILITARY AIRCRAFT

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, enroute Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours earlier today. All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive.

Subsequently information however confirmed that the military aircraft has 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 7 crew members on board.

Whilst the control and regulation of military aircraft are completely outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation, and 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.

— Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK) (@fkeyamo) October 5, 2026

The Ondo State Police Command had earlier confirmed the crash, with spokesperson DSP Jimoh Abayomi saying details were still emerging.

“The details surrounding the incident are still emerging, as efforts to establish the full circumstances continue,” Abayomi said.

He urged residents of Igbokoda and adjoining communities to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information.