NAF ATR-42 Aircraft Crashes in Igbokoda, Ondo State - 32 On Board

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that one of its aircraft, an ATR-42 with tail number NGR 931, has crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday, October 5, 2026.

The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin in Edo State to Lagos when contact was lost at about 9:13 a.m., prompting an immediate Search and Rescue operation that is still ongoing. Preliminary information suggests 32 persons were on board, including 25 passengers and 7 crew members.

NAF Confirms Crash, Activates Search and Rescue

The Nigerian Air Force in an official statement by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said it has activated an immediate Search and Rescue operation following the accident.

According to the statement, the ATR-42 aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred in the riverine area of Igbokoda, close to the Naval Base.

The Air Force noted that the operation is being conducted in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, including the Ondo State Police Command and local emergency services.

"The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has activated an immediate Search and Rescue operation following an ATR-42 aircraft accident in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on 5 October 2026. The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred. Search and Rescue operations, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, are currently ongoing. The NAF is committed to ensuring the success of the ongoing Search and Rescue efforts. Further details will be communicated in due course." - Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, NAF Spokesman

The NAF statement did not disclose casualties but assured that further details will be communicated as the situation develops. The wreckage has been located in a swampy terrain opposite the naval base, according to local reports.

Aviation Minister Keyamo Reacts, Reveals 32 On Board

Earlier, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed the disappearance of the military aircraft through a post on X, stating that Air Traffic Controllers had informed him of the incident.

Keyamo said all efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive before information later confirmed that the aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda.

He clarified that while the control and regulation of military aircraft are completely outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged total cooperation and assistance in the ongoing rescue efforts.

Preliminary information released by the minister indicated that 25 passengers and 7 crew members were on board, bringing the total to 32 persons. As of the time of filing this report, there was no official confirmation of survivors or casualties.

Residents of Igbokoda reported panic in the coastal community on Monday morning after hearing the crash. The area is a riverine community in Ilaje LGA, difficult to access due to its swampy terrain, which is complicating rescue operations.

Background On ATR-42 and Recent Incidents

The ATR-42 aircraft involved is used by the Nigerian Air Force for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) as well as air maritime operations. The aircraft with registration NGR 931 has been part of NAF's fleet for maritime patrol duties.

This incident comes as the latest in a series of military aviation accidents in Nigeria in recent years. The NAF has in the past recorded crashes involving its MI-171 helicopter in Niger State in 2023 and an FT-7NI trainer jet in Makurdi, Benue State. Investigations into those incidents were carried out by Boards of Inquiry constituted by the Chief of Air Staff.

Security experts say swampy and riverine terrains like Igbokoda pose additional challenges for Search and Rescue due to limited road access and soft ground, requiring air and marine support.