The Nigerian Air Force has launched an immediate search and rescue operation following the crash of a military aircraft in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday.
The aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was en route from Benin to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13 a.m.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.
Ejodame said the aircraft was on a routine mission when the accident occurred, adding that the search and rescue operation was being conducted in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.
“The NAF is committed to ensuring the success of the ongoing search and rescue efforts. Further details will be communicated in due course,” he said.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, also confirmed the crash, saying the aircraft was subsequently located near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
Keyamo said air traffic controllers had initially reported the aircraft missing after all attempts to establish radio contact with the crew proved unsuccessful.
“I regret to inform the general public that Air Traffic Controllers have informed me of the disappearance of a military aircraft with tail number NGR 931, en route Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours earlier today.
“All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive,” the minister said.
He added that the wreckage had been located and that search and rescue operations were ongoing.
According to the minister, preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members, making a total of 32 people, were aboard the aircraft.
Keyamo, however, clarified that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had no control over or regulatory authority for military aircraft.
He said he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, and pledged the ministry’s full cooperation and assistance in the ongoing search and rescue operation.
“Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently,” he added.
Dear readers, we really need your support to keep on serving you with authoritative, truthful, and juicy stories everyday. For your support, please reach out to the editor @gavelinternational66@gmail.com