The Federal Government has confirmed that 32 people were aboard a military aircraft that crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed the development in a statement following reports that the aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, had disappeared while travelling from Benin to Lagos.
According to the minister, air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft at approximately 9:13 a.m. after repeated attempts to establish radio communication with its crew proved unsuccessful.
The aircraft was later located after crashing near the naval facility. Preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board.
Keyamo stated that search and rescue operations were ongoing and assured the public that his ministry would cooperate fully with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the relevant authorities.
He added that further details would be released as more information becomes available.
