By Bose Olamide
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Monday confirmed the crash of an ATR-42 aircraft which was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The NAF said it had immediately activated search-and-rescue operations following the incident, which occurred after the aircraft lost contact with air traffic controllers.
In a statement by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the NAF said the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
“Search and rescue operations, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, are currently ongoing.
“The NAF is committed to ensuring the success of the ongoing search and rescue efforts. Further details will be communicated in due course,” it said.
Also confirming the crash, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said the aircraft, with registration number NGR 931, disappeared from radar after air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13 a.m.
Keyamo said the aircraft was en route to Lagos from Benin when repeated attempts to establish radio contact proved unsuccessful.
According to him, subsequent information confirmed that the aircraft had crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, with the wreckage later located.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and seven crew members on board,” the minister said.
He, however, said no further details were immediately available on the condition or identities of those on board as search-and-rescue operations continued.
Keyamo clarified that the control and regulation of military aircraft fell outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
He said he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and assured the NAF of the ministry’s full cooperation and assistance in the ongoing rescue operation.
“Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently,” Keyamo added.
