The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has confirmed the crash of a military aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, after air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft while it was travelling from Benin to Lagos.
Keyamo disclosed this in a statement issued by the ministry on Monday, saying the aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, disappeared from radar at about 9:13am.
He said attempts by air traffic controllers to re-establish communication with the aircraft were unsuccessful.
“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 to Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours earlier today. All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive.”
According to the minister, subsequent information confirmed that the aircraft had crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
He added that the wreckage had been found as search and rescue personnel continued efforts at the scene.
“Subsequently, information, however, confirmed that the military aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The wreckage has been located, and search and rescue operations are ongoing,” Keyamo stated.
The minister said preliminary information indicated that 32 people were on board the aircraft, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board,” he said.
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Keyamo also clarified that military aircraft do not fall under the regulatory control of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development or the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
“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 Aneke, and pledged our total cooperation and assistance in the search and rescue efforts ongoing,” he said.
He assured that additional information concerning the crash would be released as authorities receive further updates.
“Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently.”