Ondo: Tinubu Orders NAF Crash Probe

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Nigerian Air Force to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into the crash of an NAF ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, after the military aircraft went down during a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos.

The aircraft, which had 25 passengers and seven crew members on board, crashed near a naval base in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, on Monday, October 5, 2026.

The Nigerian Air Force confirmed that the aircraft was an ATR-42 and said it had immediately activated search and rescue operations in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies after the accident.

The incident followed the loss of contact between air traffic controllers and the aircraft, which was identified by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development as having tail number NGR 931.

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According to information released by the ministry, contact with the aircraft was lost at about 9:13am as it travelled from Benin in Edo State towards Lagos, before subsequent information confirmed that it had crashed near the naval base in Igbokoda.

The wreckage was located in a swampy area close to the river, with local reports indicating that portions of the aircraft entered the water after the crash.

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said state authorities had been in contact with the Nigerian Air Force, local government officials and security agencies as rescue efforts continued at the crash site.

Aiyedatiwa later said preliminary information available to the state indicated that no survivor had been found, although the Nigerian Air Force had not initially issued an official casualty figure.

The President expressed condolences to the families of the passengers and crew members, as well as the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force.

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Tinubu described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the country, while acknowledging the risks faced by military personnel who carry out security and other operational duties on behalf of the nation.

The President also commended the Nigerian Air Force for activating its search and rescue response and praised first responders and the Ondo State Government for their efforts at the crash site.

Tinubu said the investigation was necessary to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident and identify measures that could prevent a recurrence.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has said the incident falls outside its statutory responsibility because the aircraft was operated by the military, although it is prepared to provide technical assistance if formally invited by the Nigerian Air Force.

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The NSIB explained that military aviation accidents are ordinarily investigated by the relevant military authority under Nigeria’s legal framework, while technical support could include flight-data and cockpit-voice analysis if requested.

The crash has also prompted renewed attention to the safety of military aviation operations, although the cause of the accident remains undetermined pending the outcome of the official investigation.

The Nigerian Air Force has urged the public to rely on official information as authorities continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash and account for everyone who was on board.

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