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About 32 passengers have lost their lives in a tragic air crash involving a military aircraft with tail number NGR 931, which was en route to Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours on Monday.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed in a statement that information from Air Traffic Controllers indicated the military aircraft crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, with preliminary reports showing 25 passengers and seven crew members on board.
Keyamo stated, “Whilst the control and regulation of military aircraft are completely outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation and the 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.”
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Funke Arowojobe, confirmed the incident involving a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft on a routine mission, noting that rescue operations are actively ongoing.
The NSIB stated, “As this occurrence involves a military aircraft, investigative responsibility rests with the Nigerian Air Force. The Bureau will provide assistance upon a formal request from the Air Force.”
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), through a statement signed by Director General Captain Chris Najomo, also expressed deep sadness over the development and reiterated its readiness to offer technical support to the national response.
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