BREAKING NEWS
Tinubu orders an investigation as the Air Force searches near Igbokoda. Sources say all 32 on board died.
A Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday, October 5, 2026. The NAF aircraft crash happened near the Naval Base while the plane flew from Benin to Lagos. Thirty-two people were on board, and sources say none survived. Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has ordered an immediate investigation.
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo first announced the crash. He said air traffic controllers lost contact with a military aircraft. Later, he confirmed that the wreckage lay close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda. He then gave the number on board: 25 passengers and seven crew members. Therefore, the total reached 32 people. He added that authorities would share more information as they establish the circumstances.
The Nigerian Air Force then confirmed that the aircraft belonged to the service. Its spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the plane flew a “routine mission from Benin to Lagos.” In addition, he said search and rescue operations began immediately. The Air Force is working with relevant authorities and emergency agencies. Moreover, it expressed concern for the safety and wellbeing of its personnel involved.
However, the military has not yet released a full account. The Air Force promised more information. “Further details will be communicated in due course,” its statement said. Until then, the exact sequence of events remains unclear.
SaharaReporters later reported that all 32 people died. A source told the outlet, “Thirty-two people died in the plane crash that occurred in Ondo State.” The reports reviewed show no official casualty list yet. Therefore, readers should treat the toll with care until officials publish one.
The crash shocked the coastal community of Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area. Residents first described the aircraft as a helicopter. Later, the Air Force clarified that it was an ATR-42. One eyewitness told a local outlet that the plane fell into a swamp. SaharaReporters said the crash threw the coastal community into panic.
President Tinubu expressed deep grief over the crash. He ordered the Air Force to open a thorough investigation. In addition, he praised the Air Force for activating its search and rescue operation quickly. He also acknowledged the swift response of first responders and the Ondo State Government.
Activist Omoyele Sowore also reacted to the crash. He called for two separate investigations: one into the cause of the crash and one into the emergency response. “There must be a thorough and transparent investigation into what caused this crash,” he said. Furthermore, he questioned Nigeria’s ability to respond quickly to major disasters. Videos and images from the site raised his concerns.
The ATR-42 is a twin-turboprop aircraft built for short regional routes. Officials have not said what caused this one to lose contact. Likewise, they have not explained why it came down near the Naval Base. The cause of the accident has not been established.
In short, the confirmed facts remain limited. The crash happened on Monday near Igbokoda. The aircraft belonged to the Air Force, and 32 people were on board. Officials have announced a search and rescue operation and an investigation. However, they have not announced a cause. Several questions now await answers. Investigators must establish why the aircraft lost contact. They must also confirm who was on board and what rescuers found at the site. Meanwhile, the Air Force has promised updates, and families wait for official word. Check back for the casualty list, the official cause and the investigation’s first findings.
Sojworldnews will update this story as the Air Force, the Presidency and investigators release more information. In the meantime, our thoughts go out to the families of those on board. May the departed rest in peace.
Leave a Reply