A military aircraft crashed in Ondo State on Monday with 32 people on board, according to the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo. He shared the news in a post on X.
PREMIUM TIMES reported the crash happened on Monday morning. The Nigerian Air Force mentioned that the aircraft was on a routine flight from Benin to Lagos.
In his first official statement about the crash, Keyamo said, “Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board.”
Search and rescue operations are still underway. The number of casualties from the crash is not yet known.
The minister's full statement is below.
“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.
While the control and regulation of military aircraft are 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 ongoing search and rescue efforts.
Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available later.
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