Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo says the crash in Ondo State involved a military helicopter with 32 persons on board.

“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 from Lagos to Benin, at 0913 hours earlier today. 

“All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive,” Mr Keyamo said on X on Monday.

The minister added that the aircraft crashed close to the naval base in Igbokoda, adding, Thewreckage has been located, and search and rescue operations are ongoing.”

Mr Keyamo said, “Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and seven crew members on board.”

He noted that although military aircraft control and regulation are not within his ministry or the Civil Aviation Authority’s mandate, he pledged the aviation ministry’s support for rescue efforts when he spoke to Nigeria’s air chief.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) also confirmed in a statement that a search-and-rescue operation has begun following the aircraft’s crash.

“The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred,” NAF spokesperson Ehimen Ejodame said. “Search and rescue operations, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, are currently ongoing.”

Mr Ejodame did not disclose the number of casualties but said further details will be communicated in due course.

He reaffirmed NAF’s commitment to ensuring the success of the ongoing search and rescue efforts.

Peoples Gazette had earlier contacted Jimoh Abayomi, the state police spokesman, who said he was in a meeting with the commissioner of police over the incident.