Military Aircraft Crash in Igbokoda
A Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 twin-turboprop aircraft crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State in southwest Nigeria on Monday, October 5, 2026, resulting in the deaths of all 32 people on board. The flight was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos when it went down shortly after 09:00 local time (around 16:00 WIB), according to reporting by detikNews. Air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft at 8:13 GMT before the plane was announced missing, as noted in reporting by Vietnam.vn.
Rescue Operations and Naval Base Proximity
Emergency responders and local residents gathered at the disaster scene near a naval base in the coastal town of Igbokoda as rescue teams deployed boats to search the area. Social media video footage captured locals standing by a riverbank while recovery efforts got underway. Nigerian Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo confirmed that the twin-engine turboprop, which typically seats between 30 and 50 people, came down near the naval facility while on its scheduled transit to Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub, as reported by Vietnam.vn and LensaHukum.co.id.
President Tinubu directs air force to investigate fatal crash
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu issued a formal statement following the disaster. Presiden menyampaikan belasungkawa terdalam kepada keluarga 25 penumpang dan tujuh anggota awak yang terlibat,
the presidency stated, while Tinubu himself remarked, Ini merupakan momen yang menyakitkan bagi angkatan bersenjata kita dan seluruh bangsa,
as detailed by detikNews. The Nigerian government has not yet released the official identities of the victims. In response to the tragedy, President Tinubu directed the Nigerian Air Force to launch an immediate and thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash and prevent future incidents, according to official statements cited by LensaHukum.co.id.
Questions About the Ondo State Air Disaster
What type of aircraft was involved in the crash?
The aircraft was an ATR-42 twin-turboprop plane operated by the Nigerian Air Force, which can typically carry 30 to 50 occupants.
How many people were on board the flight?
There were 32 people on board the aircraft, consisting of 25 passengers and seven crew members, all of whom were killed in the incident.
Where was the flight traveling to and from?
The aircraft was executing a routine mission flying from Benin City to Lagos when it crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
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