MILITARY AIRCRAFT CRASHES IN ONDO, 32 REPORTEDLY ON BOARD
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
A military aircraft has crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, after air traffic controllers lost contact with it while it was flying from Benin to Lagos.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said the aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was last contacted at about 9:13 a.m. before the crash was reported.
The wreckage has been located, while search and rescue operations are ongoing. Preliminary information indicates that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board.
Keyamo said military aviation is outside the regulatory jurisdiction of the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, but added that he had spoken with the Chief of the Air Staff and pledged the ministry’s support for the rescue efforts.
Further details are expected as authorities continue to assess the situation.