The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has confirmed that 32 people were on board the military aircraft that crashed in Ondo.
The military aircraft with tail number NGR 931, en route from Lagos to Benin at 0913 hours on Monday, crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The Minister, in a statement posted on his official X handle on Monday afternoon, stated that preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board.
The statement reads: “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, en route from Lagos to 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.”
Keyamo, while acknowledging that the control and regulation of military aircraft were outside the authority of the Ministry, said the ministry will assist the military in the rescue operation.
“Whilst the control and regulation of military aircraft are completely 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 search and rescue efforts ongoing”.
He added that more information on the incident will be made available subsequently.
NAF also confirmed the crash of the helicopter in Ondo and said rescue operations have begun.