A Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying 32 people has crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, triggering an emergency search-and-rescue operation near a naval base.
The aircraft, identified by the Nigerian Air Force as an ATR-42, was conducting a routine mission from Benin in Edo State to Lagos when the incident occurred on Monday.
Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard, bringing the total number of people on the aircraft to 32.
Aircraft disappeared from radar
According to Keyamo, air traffic controllers lost contact with the military aircraft at approximately 9:13 a.m. local time.
Attempts to establish radio contact with the aircraft were unsuccessful before authorities subsequently confirmed that it had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
The wreckage has been located and emergency teams have been deployed to the area.
The Nigerian Air Force confirmed that it had launched an immediate search-and-rescue operation in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency-response agencies.
Casualty figures not yet officially confirmed
At the time of publication, Nigerian authorities had not released an official casualty figure.
Some local reports have claimed that people may have been killed in the crash, but those reports have not been officially confirmed by the Nigerian Air Force or the aviation ministry. The casualty situation therefore remains unclear as rescue teams continue operations.
Witness accounts reported by international media indicated that the crash occurred near a river, with debris seen in the area. Search teams were continuing efforts to establish the condition of those aboard.
Aircraft was on a routine military mission
The Nigerian Air Force said the ATR-42 was undertaking a routine mission between Benin and Lagos.
The aircraft type has been used by Nigeria for military duties including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as personnel and logistical operations.
The exact cause of Monday's crash has not been established.
Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the aircraft's loss of contact and subsequent crash.
Investigation and rescue efforts
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has said the crash involves a military aircraft and therefore falls outside its statutory responsibility unless it is formally invited by the military to participate.
The bureau has nevertheless indicated that it is prepared to provide technical assistance, including support involving the recovery and analysis of flight-data and cockpit-voice recordings, if requested by the Nigerian Air Force.
For now, the priority remains the search-and-rescue operation and determining the condition of the 32 people who were aboard.
The Nigerian Air Force has said further information will be released as the operation progresses.
The Insight Factor will continue to monitor developments and update this story as authorities release verified information.
