Thirty-two people on board the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) aircraft crashed into a swamp in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday.
The swamp is a few metre away from the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Igbokoda.
The military aircraft, an ATR-42 with registration number NGR 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos State when it lost contact with air traffic controllers at about 9:13 am.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed this in a statement issued in an Abuja.
Mr Keyamo said preliminary information indicated that “25 passengers and seven crew members” were on board the crashed aircraft
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board,” he said.
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👉 JOIN WHATSAPP CHANNELThe Minister said he had spoken to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, pledging total cooperation and assistance in the search and rescue efforts of the victims.
Confirming the incident, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it had activated an immediate Search and Rescue operation at the scene of the crash.
The Director of Public Relations and Information Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, who disclosed this said the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
“Search and Rescue operations, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, are currently ongoing.
“The NAF is committed to ensuring the success of the ongoing Search and Rescue efforts. Further details will be communicated in due course,” he said.
Although no official statement on the casualties involved the crash.
The Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Maurice Oripelaye, who spoke in a telephone conversation with The Nation, said the aircraft was engulfed by fire following the crash and was badly burnt.
Oripelaye also disclosed that a ‘military uniform’ was found burnt inside the wreckage of the aircraft.
According to him, no survivor had been located at the crash site.
“We found a military wear, already burnt inside the wreckage of the helicopter by the time we got to the scene of the incident,” Oripelaye said.
Following the crash, Ondo State Police Command has appealed to residents to remain calm over the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Abayomi, in a statement, urged residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to rely on information from the authorities.
“The Command urges members of the public, particularly residents of Igbokoda and adjoining communities, to remain calm and refrain from circulating unverified information,” Abayomi said.
According to him, security and emergency authorities were working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the crash.
“The public will be duly informed as soon as further credible information becomes available,” the statement added.
The crash sparked tension in the coastal community, with the residents gathering around the area while security personnel moved to secure the crash site.
One the residents, Mr Oluboyo Olusola said “When we heard about it. We rushed to the place but we could not move closer because it’s a swampy area”
Speaking, the Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, said he was initially worried that the aircraft involved in the incident might be a passenger plane because of the potentially high number of casualties.
“I was praying and hoping it was not a plane because the number of casualties would have been too high. Our first gratitude is to Almighty God that it did not crash inside the town,” the monarch said.
Oba Odidiomo explained that the aircraft crashed across a river in a bushy, waterlogged area, a situation he believed prevented a major fire outbreak.
“It fell across the river into the bush. The area is currently waterlogged because of the rains. I believe the water prevented it from catching fire, but the impact smashed the aircraft. A substantial part of it has gone into the water,” he said.
The monarch said information available to him indicated that the crashed aircraft was a Nigerian Air Force helicopter.
“From what we have gathered so far, it is a helicopter belonging to the Nigerian Air Force. They have confirmed that,” he said.
He added that, as of the time he spoke, there were no reports of survivors from the crash. “So far, there have not been any survivors,” he said.
Meanwhile, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has expressed grief over the crash and directed the state emergency agencies to provide immediate support for ongoing search and rescue operations.
Aiyedatiwa, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, said has contacted the Nigerian Air Force authorities, Ilaje Local Government Chairman, Maurice Oripelaye, and security agencies following the crash.
The governor directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ministry of Health and relevant security agencies to immediately mobilise personnel, equipment and other logistical support for the rescue operation.
Aiyedatiwa also ordered that the crash site be properly cordoned off and secured to facilitate unhindered rescue efforts and prevent interference with emergency operations.
He appealed to residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm and cooperate with emergency responders, while warning against the circulation of unverified information about the incident.
The governor sympathised with the Chief of Air Staff, officers and men of the Nigerian Air Force and families of those aboard the aircraft.
He said the state government would continue to monitor developments and provide updates based on information released by the Nigerian Air Force.
“We pray for the safety of our gallant officers and for the success of the rescue efforts,” the governor said.
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