The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, on Monday confirmed the crash of a military aircraft in Ondo State, with 32 people onboard.
Keyamo said the aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The minister disclosed this in a statement issued in Lagos on Monday and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
According to him, the aircraft was en route Lagos from Benin when Air Traffic Controllers lost contact with it.
He said 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.
He said all efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive after contact was lost.
Keyamo said 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 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 the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority also had no authority over the control and regulation of military aircraft.
According to him, 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 further information on the unfortunate incident would be made available subsequently.(NAN)
