Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has confirmed the crash of a military aircraft in Ondo State with 32 people onboard.
Keyamo said that a military aircraft with tail number NGR 931, crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The minister said in a statement issued in Lagos on Monday that the aircraft was en route Lagos from Benin when Air Traffic Controllers lost contact with it.
He said that the aircraft was reported missing at about 9:13 a.m. on Monday.
“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,” Keyamo said, adding that all efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive after contact was lost.
Keyamo said that information subsequently received confirmed that the aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
“The wreckage has been located and search and rescue operations are ongoing,” he said.
The minister said that preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard the aircraft.
Keyamo, however, clarified that the control and regulation of military aircraft were completely outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
He said that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority also had no authority over the control and regulation of military aircraft.
The minister disclosed that he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, over the incident.
Keyamo pledged the ministry’s total cooperation and assistance in the ongoing search and rescue efforts.
The minister said that further information on the unfortunate incident would be made available subsequently.
Meanwhile, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has declared a three-day mourning for the victims of the air crash.
He also directed that flags should be flown at half-mast throughout the country as a mark of respect to the officers.
President Tinubu also expressed profound sadness over the crash of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 jet.
The aircraft, carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed.
“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,” President Tinubu declared in a condolence message to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, and all officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force.
“The Chief of Air Staff has briefed me, and I have directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences.
“I commend the Nigerian Air Force for activating an immediate search and rescue operation following the accident,” the statement by the Presidency quoted President Tinubu as saying.
Tinubu also directed that flags should be flown at half-mast throughout the country as a mark of respect to the officers.
GIK/APA