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.
