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A military aircraft with tail number NGR 931, travelling from Benin to Lagos, has crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, after air traffic controllers lost contact with it on Sunday.
The aircraft disappeared from radar at about 9:13 a.m., according to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
In a statement issued on X by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), all attempts by air traffic controllers to establish radio contact with the aircraft proved unsuccessful before information later confirmed that it had crashed near the naval facility.
Preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board the aircraft, bringing the reported number of people aboard to 32.
The ministry said the aircraft was a military aircraft and clarified that the control and regulation of military aviation operations fell outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
The ministry, however, said it had offered its full support to the military authorities following the incident.
”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.
Subsequently, information however confirmed that the military aircraft has crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The wreckage has been located and search and rescue operations are ongoing.
”Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board.
”Whilst the control and regulation of military aircraft are completely outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation and the Civil Aviation Authority, I have just spoken to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke and pledged our total cooperation and assistance in the search and rescue efforts ongoing.
”Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently,” he wrote on X
