A Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft has crashed in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, with 32 people reportedly on board.

The aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was on a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13am on Monday, October 5, 2026.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the incident, saying the aircraft was subsequently located near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.

He said the wreckage had been located and search and rescue operations were immediately launched.

According to preliminary information released by Keyamo, the aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members.

However, the Nigerian Air Force did not disclose the condition or number of casualties in its confirmation of the crash.

The Nigerian Air Force subsequently confirmed that the aircraft belonged to the service and identified it as an ATR-42.

The Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Ehimen Ejodame, said an immediate search and rescue operation had been activated in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.

Ejodame said the aircraft was travelling from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred, adding that efforts were ongoing to locate and assist those on board.

The incident was first reported after residents of Igbokoda heard a loud sound from a swampy area in the community.

An early report said some occupants were feared dead, but the exact casualty figure was not immediately established.

The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the aircraft crash and said investigation had commenced.

The command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, urged residents of Igbokoda and adjoining communities to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information while efforts continued to establish the full circumstances of the incident.

Following confirmation of the crash, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, directed state emergency and security agencies to provide full logistical and human support for the ongoing search and rescue operation.

The governor directed the State Emergency Management Agency, the Ministry of Health and relevant security agencies to immediately mobilise personnel and resources to support the Nigerian Air Force and other emergency responders at the crash site.

Aiyedatiwa also ordered that the crash site be cordoned off and secured to prevent interference with rescue operations.

He said he had been in contact with the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, the chairman of Ilaje Local Government, Maurice Oripelaye, and security agencies on the ground.

The governor expressed sympathy to the Chief of Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force and the families of the personnel and passengers on board the aircraft, while urging residents to cooperate with emergency responders and refrain from spreading unverified information.

Keyamo, meanwhile, said the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had no regulatory authority over military aircraft.

He disclosed that he had spoken with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, and pledged the ministry's cooperation and assistance to the ongoing rescue efforts.