*Rescue Operations Ongoing
THE Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard the military aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, which crashed close to the naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Council of Ondo State on Monday, October 5, while en route Lagos from Benin City.
Already, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed ownership of the aircraft, saying it was en route to Lagos from Benin, the Edo State capital.
Keyamo, in a statement posted on his X handle, said he was informed of the disappearance of the aircraft by air traffic controllers and “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 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.”
The minister stated that further information will be provided when available.
The crash of the aircraft, used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and air maritime operations, caused panic among residents of the coastal community on Monday morning.
The Ondo State Police Command spokesman, Abayomi Jimoh (DSP), who confirmed the incident to journalists in Akure, said details surrounding the incident were still emerging, as efforts to establish the full circumstances continue.
Jimoh urged the public, particularly residents of Igbokoda and adjoining communities, to remain calm and refrain from circulating unverified information, adding that the public will be duly informed as soon as further credible information were available.
There has been no immediate confirmation of casualties from the crash.
