Month: October 2026

NAF Aircraft Lost Radar Contact Shortly After Take-Off, No Survivor Reported

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday reportedly disappeared from radar shortly after taking off from Benin City, Edo State.

The aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was on its way to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13am.

A senior Air Traffic Controller familiar with the aircraft’s final journey disclosed that communication with the aircraft was established shortly after take-off before contact was lost.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the incident, said attempts to re-establish communication with the aircraft failed.

“I must tell you that this is looking somehow shoddy. When the aircraft took off, we were in touch with it shortly afterward, but it disappeared from the radar. Efforts to reach it were unsuccessful,” the source said.

According to the source, personnel at reporting points around Okitipupa later heard a loud sound believed to have come from the crash.

The disappearance of the aircraft prompted the military to commence search-and-rescue efforts.

The air traffic controller said the circumstances remained unclear and that further details would emerge after the rescue and recovery operations.

“But it was strange. Almost immediately after it took off, we lost communication with it. There was no communication, nothing. And that makes it suspicious. The aircraft just vanished until the crash.

“Even as we speak, the search-and-rescue operation is still ongoing, and when that is concluded, I should be able to get more information,” the source said.

He further described the loss of communication as suspicious but expressed hope that the circumstances would become clearer.

“The loss of communication is very suspicious, but God will help us anyway. It is very possible for us to get clearer information as things unfold,” the source added.

Keyamo Confirms Aircraft Disappearance

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, also confirmed that air traffic controllers had alerted him about the missing aircraft.

“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, enroute Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours earlier today. All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive,” Keyamo said.

The minister later announced that the wreckage had been found close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda.

“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,” he said.

Keyamo disclosed that 32 people were aboard the aircraft, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members.

At the time of filing this report, the identities of those on board had not been officially released.

Difficult Terrain Hampers Rescue

The aircraft reportedly crashed into a swamp within the creek, which made access to the wreckage difficult.

Military personnel from a nearby base took charge of the rescue effort, while local fishermen joined the operation because of the difficult terrain.

An eyewitness told The PUNCH, “I could see the military men in the area while some local fishermen too were helping out, but it seems difficult to remove the wreckage because the plane forcefully entered into the swampy area.”

Another resident, who identified himself as Sola, said the incident occurred during rainfall.

Sola said, “It happened this (Monday) morning, when it was drizzling. We heard a very loud sound at the area where the incident happened, but we couldn’t get there because the place is a swampy area inside the creek. We were just looking at it from afar.

“However, the police and the military people later came around for rescue, but the occupants of the aircraft may have died inside because up till this time I’m speaking with you, nobody has been removed from there, dead or alive. Initially, we thought it was a helicopter, but later we learnt that it is an aircraft.”

NAF Launches Search And Rescue Operation

The Nigerian Air Force confirmed that the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.

In a statement issued by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the NAF said it had activated a search-and-rescue operation.

The statement partly read, “The NAF has activated an immediate Search and Rescue operation following an ATR-42 aircraft accident in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on 5 October 2026.

“The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred. Search and Rescue operations, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, are currently ongoing.

“The NAF is committed to ensuring the success of the ongoing Search and Rescue efforts. Further details will be communicated in due course.”

Police Commence Investigation

The Ondo State Police Command also confirmed that an investigation into the crash had commenced.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the police were working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“The Ondo State Police Command confirms the reported aircraft crash in the Igbokoda axis of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday, 5th October 2026. Details surrounding the incident are still emerging, as efforts to establish the full circumstances continue.”

Jimoh appealed to residents in Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm and avoid the spread of unverified information.

“The public will be duly informed as soon as further credible information becomes available,” he stated.

Monarch Reports No Survivor

The monarch of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, described the crash as unfortunate and said he instructed palace officials to proceed to the site after receiving information about the incident.

“I was in court when the incident happened, and I directed some of my palace officials to visit the site. At that time, nobody could determine whether it was an aircraft or a helicopter.

“I was worried because it must not be a plane, because the number of casualties would be just too high. Our first thanks to Almighty God is that it did not happen inside the town; otherwise, the casualties would have been too many.

“The aircraft crashed into the river and a swampy area. It was raining when the incident happened, and the place was waterlogged. The aircraft did not catch fire, but a substantial part of it has gone into the water. We cannot describe the exact situation for now, but from my investigation and what we have gathered so far, there was no survivor.”

Aiyedatiwa Expresses Sadness

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State expressed grief over the crash and said relevant state agencies had been activated to support the rescue operation.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the governor said he had communicated with the Nigerian Air Force leadership, the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Maurice Oripelaye, and security agencies at the scene.

“The governor has received with deep sadness the news of the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, in the early hours of today, Monday, October 5, 2026.

“On behalf of the government and good people of Ondo State, Governor Aiyedatiwa expresses his heartfelt sympathy to the Chief of Air Staff, the entire Nigerian Air Force family, and the families of all personnel and passengers on board the ill-fated aircraft. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.

“The governor has been in contact with the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, the Ilaje Local Government Chairman, Maurice Oripelaye, and security agencies on the ground.”

The governor also said no survivor had been found after the crash.

Speaking on Channels Television, Aiyedatiwa said he received information about the incident at about 10:30am after the local government chairman contacted him.

“When they noticed that it’s just an accident, they didn’t see any sign of fire. So, they moved in, trying to see if they could rescue the people.

“But from the information we got, no single life was saved up to this moment. They could not see any living soul that was in that aircraft. But they saw the ruins, some of the wreckage from the wings of the aircraft, you know, some ID cards, I was told, and then uniforms. That was when they knew it was a military aircraft,” he said.

Aiyedatiwa described the incident as painful, particularly because the crash occurred in his home state and local government area.

Tinubu Orders Investigation

President Bola Tinubu also expressed sadness over the incident and directed the Nigerian Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the aircraft was on a routine flight from Benin to Lagos before it crashed near a naval base in Igbokoda.

The President sympathised with the families of the 25 passengers and seven crew members, as well as the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Kelvin Aneke, and the entire Nigerian Air Force.

“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation. Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

“The Chief of Air Staff has briefed me, and I have directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences.

“I commend the Nigerian Air Force for activating an immediate Search-and-Rescue operation following the accident. I pray for the repose of the souls of the gallant officers and for Almighty God to grant their families and the Nigerian Air Force the fortitude to bear the unfortunate loss.

“I assure the Nigerian Air Force of the continued support of our administration as they continue their vital role in securing our nation. I also commend the swift response of first responders and the Ondo State Government at the crash site.”

Black Box, Weather And Aircraft Condition Under Scrutiny

Attention has now shifted to the aircraft’s flight recorder, commonly referred to as the black box, which had not been recovered as of the time of filing this report.

The device could provide investigators with important information about the aircraft’s final moments, including flight parameters and cockpit communications.

The National Safety Investigation Bureau has indicated its readiness to support the recovery and analysis of the flight recorder if requested by the military.

Investigators are expected to examine several sources of evidence, including the wreckage, air traffic control records, weather information, maintenance records and eyewitness accounts.

Some witnesses claimed that the aircraft made several circles before it went down as the rainfall increased. That account has not been independently verified and has not been confirmed by the Nigerian Air Force.

Weather conditions are expected to form part of the investigation. Authorities may also examine the aircraft’s maintenance history, technical condition, flight path, communication with air traffic controllers and the actions of the crew.

The location of the crash also created initial uncertainty about the type of aircraft involved. Igbokoda is a coastal and oil-producing community in Ilaje Local Government Area, where aircraft are sometimes used for offshore and oil-related activities.

Some residents initially described the incident as a helicopter crash.

The Nigerian Air Force, however, confirmed that the aircraft was an ATR-42 fixed-wing military aircraft. There is no official information linking the aircraft to an oil-related operation.

Military personnel, police officers, emergency responders and local fishermen remained at the crash site as efforts continued to recover the victims and secure the wreckage.

The exact cause of the crash remains unknown. Authorities are expected to provide further information after the search, recovery and investigation processes make progress.

Sokoto Health College Refutes Report Of 18 Students’ Abduction

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The management of Gamji College of Health Technology, Sokoto, has dismissed reports that 18 of its students were abducted by suspected terrorists while travelling to Oyo State.

The institution described the report as false and misleading, insisting that none of its students was kidnapped and that all of them were safe.

The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Monday and signed by the college’s Registrar, Bello Abdulrahman.

The management was reacting to a report published by Sahara Reporters on October 5, 2026, which claimed that 18 students of the institution were abducted while travelling to Oyo State.

The report also alleged that the driver of the vehicle conveying the students was killed.

However, the college rejected the claims and said they did not represent what happened.

“The College wishes to categorically state that the said report is FALSE, MISLEADING and does not reflect the true situation.”

The management further stated, “No student of Gamji College of Health Technology, Sokoto, was kidnapped, and there was no such incident involving our students.”

According to the institution, the students had reached their respective destinations safely and were continuing with their academic and professional activities.

The statement described the students as “safe, sound and currently in their various destinations, pursuing their academic and professional programmes as planned.”

The college called on parents, guardians, students and members of the public to disregard the report and stop further circulation of the claim.

“We urge the general public, parents, guardians and all stakeholders to disregard the fake news and avoid sharing it further,” the statement said.

The management also assured students, parents and other stakeholders that their safety and welfare remained a priority.

It said the institution would continue to cooperate with relevant security agencies to maintain a secure environment for teaching, learning and professional training.

The college advised members of the public who require information about its activities and students to rely on its official communication channels.

The institution’s statement has therefore contradicted the reported abduction, with the management maintaining that all its students are safe and accounted for.

Troops Foil Abduction Attempt, Rescue Two In Zamfara

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued two people from armed terrorists during a patrol along the Anka–Gadan Manya Road in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The rescue occurred on October 4 after the soldiers encountered armed terrorists attacking two people who were travelling on a motorcycle.

A security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment officially on the operation, said the troops responded immediately after sighting the attack.

“The troops were on routine patrol when they spotted armed terrorists attacking two people travelling on a motorcycle,” the source said.

According to the source, the soldiers engaged the attackers and forced them to retreat, leaving the two victims behind.

“The soldiers immediately moved in and engaged the attackers, forcing them to flee and abandon the victims.”

The troops subsequently evacuated the victims to safety.

Following the operation, security personnel reportedly increased patrols along the Anka–Gadan Manya axis to prevent further attacks and restrict the movement of terrorists in the area.

“The troops have intensified patrols in the area to deny the terrorists freedom of movement and ensure the safety of residents,” the reliable source added.

The successful intervention comes amid continuing security concerns along some roads in Zamfara State, where armed groups have carried out attacks and abductions.

The rescue also highlights the role of routine military patrols in responding to attacks and protecting civilians travelling through vulnerable areas.

INEC Says Over 103 Million Nigerians Are Eligible For 2027 Elections

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that Nigeria’s national register of voters has exceeded 103 million ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Monday at a strategic workshop for editors organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors in collaboration with the electoral commission in Abuja.

According to Amupitan, the latest figure followed the completion of the three-phase Continuous Voter Registration exercise and the final biometric verification of newly registered voters.

He said the CVR exercise generated 10,772,421 new registrations, which were subjected to verification through the Automated Biometric Identification System.

“Following the conclusion of our three-phase Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which captured over 10.6 million new applicants, and the completion of the public display of the preliminary register for claims and objections, our Voter Register Department has completed the final Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) cleanup.

Nigeria’s National Register of Voters is now over 103 million,” he declared.

The latest figure represents a rise from the more than 93 million voters previously recorded by the commission.

In August, INEC had projected that the register would cross the 100 million mark after the completion of the CVR exercise.

The commission had also said in September that the register was “approaching the 100 million mark” following the addition of 10,772,421 new registrations subject to biometric verification.

PVC Collection Begins October 9

Amupitan announced that nationwide collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards will begin on Friday, October 9, 2026.

He said the commission had completed the processing and distribution of the first batch of PVCs to local government centres ahead of the exercise.

The INEC chairman called on the media to provide citizens with accurate information about collection centres and encourage eligible voters to collect their cards.

INEC Acquires 57,000 New BVAS Devices

The commission is also strengthening its technological infrastructure ahead of the 2027 elections.

Amupitan disclosed that INEC had acquired 57,000 new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices.

He said the devices had undergone software hardening, battery optimisation and biometric calibration to strengthen accreditation and prevent manipulation.

“We have instituted hardware, software, and cybersecurity enhancements across our technological architecture. We have acquired 57,000 new BVAS for optimal performance.

“The devices have undergone extensive software hardening, battery optimisation, and biometric calibration to prevent accreditation bypass and eliminate manual manipulation,” the INEC chairman stated.

The upgrades are part of preparations for the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, as well as the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections fixed for February 6.

Tinubu Declares 3-Day Mourning Over Ondo NAF Crash

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a three-day national mourning for Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 jet on Monday.

The president also directed that flags be flown at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect for the deceased officers.

According to a State House statement, the aircraft crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State. It was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members and was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.

Tinubu, who expressed profound sadness over the crash, sent a condolence message to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and to all officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force.

“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation. Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” the president said.

He said the Chief of Air Staff had briefed him on the incident and that he had directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences.

Tinubu also commended the Nigerian Air Force for activating an immediate search and rescue operation following the accident.

The Air Force will release the names of the deceased personnel after contacting their families, the statement added.

Tinubu to Return to Abuja After Six-Day Lagos Visit

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Lagos for Abuja this evening, ending a six-day visit to Nigeria’s former seat of government.

Tinubu arrived in Lagos on Tuesday, September 29, after spending his annual vacation in London and Paris.

While in Lagos, the President addressed the nation on October 1 to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day anniversary. Later that day, he attended the National Premiere of MKO, a documentary on the life, political struggle and enduring legacy of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola and the historic June 12 pro-democracy struggle. The event was held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts.

On Sunday, President Tinubu visited the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Akiolu, at his Iga Iduganran Palace on Lagos Island.

The President’s return to Abuja was announced in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy).

Tinubu Orders Probe into Ondo NAF Crash, Mourns Personnel

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has ordered a thorough investigation into Monday morning’s crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.

The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred, according to a State House statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Tinubu expressed profound sadness over the incident and extended his deepest condolences to the families of the 25 passengers and seven crew members involved, as well as to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and all officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force.

“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation. Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” the President said.

He said the Chief of Air Staff had briefed him on the crash and that he had directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into its cause to prevent future occurrences.

Tinubu commended the Nigerian Air Force for activating an immediate Search and Rescue operation after the accident. He also praised the swift response of first responders and the Ondo State Government at the crash site.

The President prayed for the repose of the souls of the gallant officers and asked God to grant their families and the Nigerian Air Force the fortitude to bear the loss.

He assured the Nigerian Air Force of the continued support of his administration as it continues its vital role in securing the nation.

[OPINION]: Opening The Hinterland: 18 New (Rural) Roads And The Expanding Frontier Of Access In Yobe, By Maji Bappa Maina

By Maji Bappa Maina


Infrastructure becomes particularly significant when it reaches the places where limited connectivity has constrained economic and social activity.

This is the context in which Yobe’s expanding network of rural access roads deserves closer examination.

Across the state, new road connections are emerging between communities that have historically depended on difficult routes to reach larger settlements, markets, farms and essential services.

These are not primarily urban roads designed to reshape city traffic.

They are rural access roads, and their significance lies in the connections they create beyond the major centres.

Under the administration of Governor Mai Mala Buni, a number of such roads have been constructed, while others are at different stages of development.

The emerging network includes the new road from Potiskum to Ngojin; Potiskum to Degubi; Fadawa to Daya; Fika to Maluri; Damagum to Gubana; Dawasa to Kukuri; Danchua to Jajere; Ngelzarma to Mashio; Bingel to Danchua; Damaturu to Gambir; Bukarti to Toshia; Karasuwa to Galu; Balangua to Kumagannam; Chumbosko to Tagali; the road to Dagona; Nguru to Balangua; Gashua to Masaba; and Gujba to Ngalda, which is ongoing.

Taken together, these routes suggest something larger than a collection of isolated construction projects.

They point towards an attempt to improve the geography of access across Yobe by bringing rural communities into stronger physical connection with the wider economy.

Why Rural Access Matters

For many rural communities, the road is the first link in a much longer development chain.

A farmer may produce enough food but struggle to reach a profitable market. A trader may have demand for goods but face high transportation costs. A student may live relatively close to an educational institution yet experience difficulty reaching it.

A patient may need medical attention but encounter delays because the journey itself is difficult.

In each case, the problem is not necessarily the absence of opportunity. Sometimes, it is the difficulty of reaching it.

This raises an important question: what happens to a rural economy when physical access begins to improve?

The answer cannot be assumed. It has to be observed through changes in transportation, agricultural marketing, movement of people, access to services and local economic activity.

Roads and the Rural Economy

Yobe’s rural economy makes connectivity particularly important.

Agricultural production does not end at the farm gate. Produce must move from farms to collection points, markets and larger commercial centres.

The condition of the connecting road can influence the cost, speed and reliability of that movement.

The new routes linking communities such as Potiskum and Ngojin, Ngelzarma and Mashio, Nguru and Balangua, Gashua and Masaba, and Fadawa and Daya therefore deserve to be viewed through an economic lens.

Their potential significance extends beyond transportation.

Better connectivity can create stronger relationships between producers, traders and consumers.

A rural road can consequently become part of an economic system rather than simply a physical structure.

Extending Development Beyond Urban Centres

There is also a geographical dimension to the intervention.

Public investment naturally receives greater visibility in major towns, where large populations and public institutions are concentrated.

Rural infrastructure presents a different challenge: its beneficiaries are more dispersed, and its impact may be less immediately visible.

Yet development becomes broader when infrastructure reaches beyond administrative and commercial centres.

The road from Damagum to Gubana, for example, or the connections involving Danchua, Jajere, Bingel, Bukarti, Toshia, Karasuwa, Galu, Balangua and Kumagannam, are important precisely because they extend connectivity into communities outside the major urban corridors.

The significance of such projects should therefore be considered in terms of inclusion, mobility and opportunity.

The Question of Development Impact

However, constructing rural roads should not be the final measure of success.

The more important assessment begins after the road becomes usable.

Are journey times falling? Are transport costs becoming more manageable? Are farmers reaching markets more easily? Are communities gaining better access to schools and health facilities? Is commercial activity increasing along these routes?

These are the questions that can turn infrastructure statistics into evidence of development.

For that reason, the long-term evaluation of Yobe’s rural road programme should move beyond the number of projects completed.

It should examine what these roads are changing in the lives and economic activities of the communities they connect.

From Connectivity to Opportunity

The broader significance of rural access infrastructure is that it can reduce the physical barriers separating communities from opportunity.

A road connecting Gujba to Ngalda, for instance, has a different development significance from a conventional urban road.

Its importance is rooted in the communities and economic spaces it brings closer together.

The fact that the route is still ongoing also highlights the need to view infrastructure as a process whose ultimate value becomes clearer after completion and sustained use.

The same principle applies across the wider network.

When rural communities become better connected, movement becomes easier; when movement becomes easier, economic interaction can expand; and when economic interaction expands, new possibilities may emerge.

This is why rural roads deserve to be considered within the broader conversation about development in Yobe.

Beyond the Road Itself

The emerging rural access network under Governor Mai Mala Buni presents an interesting case for examining how infrastructure can influence development outside the major urban centres.

Its importance will ultimately depend on more than construction.

Maintenance, road quality, accessibility throughout the seasons and the economic activities generated around the routes will determine whether the initial investment produces lasting value.

The real measure of these roads will therefore be found in the communities they connect.

If a farmer reaches a market with less difficulty, a trader moves goods at lower cost, a student travels more easily, or a patient reaches a health facility sooner, the road has acquired a meaning beyond concrete, earthwork and engineering.

It has become a pathway to participation.

And perhaps that is the more important story emerging from Yobe’s rural roads, development is gradually extending into the spaces between the major towns, one connection at a time.


Maji Bappa Maina is a Voice of Development, Leadership and public Insight agent and he writes from Yobe State Nigeria

NAF Confirms ATR-42 Crash In Ondo, Begins Search And Rescue


By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that an ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday, October 5, 2026, while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

The NAF, in a statement by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said it had commenced immediate search and rescue operations in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.

“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,” the statement said.

The Air Force clarified that the aircraft involved was an ATR-42, not a helicopter as initially reported. It did not disclose the number of people on board or whether there were casualties.

The confirmation followed an earlier SaharaReporters report that residents feared several people dead after an aircraft believed to be a helicopter crashed in the coastal community. A resident said the incident caused panic in Igbokoda.

Ondo State Police Command spokesperson Abayomi Jimoh had said he was unaware of the incident but would make inquiries.

Igbokoda is a riverine community and commercial hub in Ilaje, one of Ondo State’s oil-producing areas, and is also used for aviation operations connected to the oil and gas industry. Further details are expected as search and rescue efforts continue.

Resign If You’re Unhappy With My Administration, Zamfara Governor Tells Appointees

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has asked political appointees who are dissatisfied with his administration to resign from their positions.

Lawal made the remark on Saturday during an All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Gusau.

The governor was responding to complaints from some party stakeholders, including political appointees, youths and women, who expressed concerns about alleged neglect and inadequate welfare.

“There are some political office holders who complain that they have not gotten anything. That is not true. Even among the commissioners, anyone who feels he is not getting anything should resign,” Lawal said.

The governor also called on members of the APC in Zamfara to put an end to factional politics and unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“From today, please, let us stop the politics of so-and-so’s houses. Let us come together as one party with the same vision. The talk of Dauda’s house, Matawalle’s house or Shehi’s house should stop,” he said.

Lawal further disclosed that he would meet with former governors of the state as part of efforts to harmonise and compile the names of members for the APC campaign council ahead of the 2027 elections.