Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has confirmed that 32 people were on board the military aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday.
Keyamo said the aircraft, with registration number NGR 931, disappeared while flying from Benin to Lagos at about 9:13 a.m.
According to the minister, air traffic controllers alerted authorities after attempts to establish radio contact with the aircraft failed.
He said subsequent information confirmed that the aircraft had crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, with the wreckage already located.
Keyamo said search and rescue operations were ongoing.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and seven crew members on board,” he said.
The minister clarified that the control and regulation of military aircraft fall outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.
He, however, said he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged the ministry’s full cooperation and assistance with the rescue operation.
“Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently,” Keyamo added.
