Ondo Military Plane Crash: Air Force Confirms 25 Dead, Tinubu Declares Three Days of National Mourning

The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that all 25 people on board its ATR 42 aircraft died in the crash at Igbokoda, Ondo State, and that no survivors were found. President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning and ordered an immediate investigation. 

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the Air Force said the dead were five crew members and 20 passengers aboard the aircraft, NAF 931. The plane crashed on Monday, October 5, near the Naval Base in Igbokoda while flying from Benin to Lagos on a routine mission. 

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, offered condolences to the families, loved ones and colleagues of the victims, calling the crash a deeply painful moment for the service and the country. He ordered a full investigation and opened a condolence register at Air Force Headquarters in Abuja. 

Air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft at about 9:13 a.m., according to a Legit.ng report. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said efforts to reach the plane by radio failed, and the wreckage was later located close to the naval base. The plane came down in a swampy area. 

Local officials and eyewitnesses reported finding wreckage, human remains and personal belongings at the difficult-to-access site. The traditional ruler of Igbokoda, the Olu, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, told reporters he saw no sign of survivors. 

President Tinubu directed the Air Force to begin a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences, and commended it for activating search and rescue operations immediately. The Presidency said the Air Force would release the names of those on board after contacting their families. 

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa deployed emergency, health and security agencies to assist, while the Ministry of Aviation, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority offered technical support. 

Earlier reports, citing Minister Keyamo, said 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board, a total of 32. The Air Force's later statement puts the number of people on board and killed at 25, and 247NewsCheck has used the military's figure in this report. 

Authorities have not attributed the accident to mechanical failure, weather, pilot error or any other specific factor. The findings of the investigation ordered by the President and the Chief of the Air Staff are awaited. 

The nation remains in mourning for three days, with flags flying at half-mast. 247NewsCheck will continue to follow the story and bring readers verified updates as more details emerge, including the investigation's progress and arrangements for the victims.

Source and attribution: This 247NewsCheck report is based on a statement from the Nigerian Air Force and on reports from Nigerian news outlets, including statements attributed to the Presidency and the Ministry of Aviation. The information is attributed to those sources and is not an independent finding by 247NewsCheck.