A Nigerian military aircraft, an ATR‑42, crashed on Monday while en route from Benin City to Lagos, killing 25 passengers and seven crew members. The accident occurred in southwestern Ondo state, near the coastal town of Igbokoda, where search and rescue teams were deployed after the wreckage was located.
Air traffic controllers lost contact with the plane at 0813 GMT, according to Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo. The crash is one of the deadliest air disasters in Nigeria in recent years.
President Bola Tinubu confirmed that there were no survivors, expressing “profound sadness” and extending condolences to the families of those aboard. He said the Chief of Air Staff had briefed him and that the Nigerian Air Force would immediately launch a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences.
The incident has prompted a swift response from the Nigerian military and government, with officials vowing to scrutinise the circumstances that led to the tragedy. The investigation will focus on flight data, maintenance records and any possible mechanical or operational failures.
Observers note that the crash highlights ongoing concerns about aviation safety standards within Nigeria’s military fleet. The findings of the investigation will be closely watched by both national and international aviation authorities.
