President Bola Tinubu has announced three days of national mourning following the crash of a military aircraft in southern Ondo State that claimed 32 lives. The ATR-42 plane went down in a swamp near a naval base on Monday morning while on a routine flight from Benin City to Lagos, with the aircraft now submerged beneath the water.
The flight carried 25 passengers and seven crew members, the majority of them military personnel. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo reported that contact with the aircraft, identified by tail number NGR 931, was lost at 0913 hours local time. Attempts to reach the plane by radio failed before authorities confirmed the crash near the naval base in Igbokoda.
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa stated that no survivors had been recovered and that rescue teams had not yet reached the aircraft's main fuselage, which remains deep within the swamp. The governor confirmed that wreckage, identity cards and uniforms had been visible at the site, though the submerged location has made access to the wreckage and occupants extremely difficult.
Tinubu expressed his condolences and ordered national flags to be flown at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect.
This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation. Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
The identities of those who died have not yet been released. Authorities stated that the names of the officers will be published only after their families have been informed.
What was the aircraft's purpose?
The Nigerian Air Force identified the aircraft as an ATR-42 configured specifically for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. According to its manufacturers, this model typically carries between 30 and 50 passengers, though the exact configuration of this particular aircraft remains under investigation.
What investigation has been ordered?
Tinubu has ordered the Air Force to begin a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to help prevent similar incidents in the future. According to reporting from Ondo State officials, the investigation is expected to examine the aircraft's black box, with recovery of this device identified as necessary to determine the cause of the crash.
However, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has stated that it must be formally invited by the Air Force before it can participate in the crash investigation.
How does this compare to previous aviation incidents?
This accident ranks among the deadliest air disasters in Nigeria in recent years. In May 2021, Nigeria's army chief, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, was killed in a plane crash alongside 10 other officers in Kaduna state during adverse weather conditions. In February 2021, seven people died after a military plane crashed short of a runway in the capital, Abuja.
The crash has renewed scrutiny of the Nigerian Air Force's aviation losses and safety record over the past decade, raising questions about maintenance, training and operational procedures within the service.
What role does the Nigerian Air Force play?
The Nigerian Air Force is central to the country's military operations, including efforts to combat armed groups and address insecurity across several regions. The loss of 32 personnel represents a significant blow to operational capacity and morale within the service.
A resident near the crash site told local media that clothes and shoes had been found scattered at the location, with smoke visible rising from the area when the incident occurred.
Key facts
- The ATR-42 aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos when it crashed in a swamp near Igbokoda naval base on Monday morning
- All 32 people on board—25 passengers and seven crew members—were killed; no survivors have been recovered
- The aircraft remains submerged in the swamp, complicating recovery and investigation efforts
- President Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning and ordered a full investigation into the cause
- This is among the deadliest aviation incidents in Nigeria in recent years, renewing concerns about the Air Force's safety record
