Thirty-two people aboard a Nigerian military aircraft are reportedly feared dead after the aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday.

Politics Nigeria reports that the aircraft, an ATR-42 with registration number NGR 931, was travelling from Benin to Lagos when it disappeared from radar before crashing near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.

A source privy to the incident said all 32 people on board were believed to have died in the crash.

The reported figure comprises 25 passengers and seven crew members, according to preliminary information earlier released by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

However, authorities had yet to officially confirm the number of fatalities at the time of filing this report.

Keyamo, in a statement posted on his official X handle on Monday, said Air Traffic Controllers alerted him that the military aircraft had disappeared from radar.

He said the aircraft was last in communication at about 9:13am, adding that attempts to establish contact with the crew were unsuccessful.

“All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive,” Keyamo said.

According to the minister, subsequent information confirmed that the aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda.

The wreckage has been located and search and rescue operations are ongoing,” he added.

The Nigerian Air Force had earlier confirmed the crash, identifying the aircraft as an ATR-42 that was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

In a statement issued by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the NAF said it immediately commenced search and rescue operations following the crash.

“The Nigerian Air Force has commenced an immediate Search and Rescue operation following an ATR-42 aircraft accident in Igbokoda Area of Ondo State on 5th October 2026,” Ejodame said.

The NAF said its personnel were working with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies at the scene.

Keyamo also clarified that military aviation operations fall outside the regulatory control of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

He said he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged the ministry’s cooperation and assistance in the ongoing search and rescue operation.

Meanwhile, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State expressed sadness over the incident and said he had been in contact with the Nigerian Air Force leadership, the Ilaje Local Government Chairman, Maurice Oripelaye, and security agencies at the scene.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, preliminary information indicated that the aircraft crashed in a swampy area opposite the Naval Base in Igbokoda.

Aiyedatiwa directed the State Emergency Management Agency, Ministry of Health and relevant security agencies to immediately mobilise logistical and human resources to support the Nigerian Air Force and other emergency response agencies.

He also ordered that the crash site be cordoned off and secured to facilitate the rescue operation.

The governor urged residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm, cooperate with emergency responders and refrain from spreading unverified information.

He expressed condolences to the Chief of Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force and the families of those involved in the incident.

“We pray for the safety of our gallant officers and for the success of the rescue efforts,” Aiyedatiwa said.

The state government said it would continue to monitor the situation and provide updates based on information from the Nigerian Air Force.