Tragedy in Ondo: Military Aircraft Carrying 32 People Crashes Near Naval Base as Rescue Mission Intensifies

BY TAIBAT UMMI YAKUBU

A major aviation tragedy unfolded in Ondo State on Monday after a military aircraft carrying 32 people crashed near the Nigerian Navy Base in Igbokoda, triggering an urgent search-and-rescue operation and raising fresh concerns about aviation safety.

The aircraft, identified by tail number NGR 931, was travelling from Benin City to Lagos when it suddenly disappeared from radar, sparking alarm among aviation authorities and security agencies.

According to information released by the Federal Government, air traffic controllers lost communication with the aircraft at approximately 9:13 a.m. Efforts to re-establish contact proved unsuccessful, prompting immediate emergency procedures and a coordinated search for the missing plane.

Hours later, authorities confirmed fears that the aircraft had crashed in the vicinity of the Naval Base in Igbokoda, a coastal community in Ondo State. Rescue teams subsequently located the wreckage and began operations at the crash site.

Preliminary reports indicate that 32 people were on board at the time of the incident, including 25 passengers and seven crew members. However, officials have yet to provide details regarding casualties or survivors as emergency responders continue efforts to access and assess the scene.

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The crash has drawn national attention, with aviation and military authorities working closely to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the development in a statement and disclosed that all communication attempts with the aircraft failed after contact was lost.

Keyamo explained that military aircraft operations fall outside the direct regulatory jurisdiction of both the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Nevertheless, he assured Nigerians that the ministry was fully supporting ongoing rescue efforts.

The minister revealed that he had already spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, to coordinate assistance and ensure that all available resources were deployed to aid the operation.

As rescue personnel continue combing the crash site for survivors and vital evidence, attention is gradually turning toward what may have caused the incident. Aviation experts say investigators will likely examine weather conditions, mechanical performance, flight records and communication logs as part of a comprehensive inquiry.

For now, uncertainty hangs over the fate of those on board as families, colleagues and concerned Nigerians await official updates from authorities. The coming hours are expected to be critical as rescue teams work against time to establish the full extent of the tragedy.

Authorities have assured the public that more information will be released as soon as it becomes available, while the nation watches anxiously for news from the crash site in Igbokoda.