NAF (Nigerian Air Force) said the ATR-42 aircraft was on a routine flight from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred on Monday.

Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft, identified by tail number NGR 931, at about 9:13am after attempts to reach it by radio failed.

The wreckage was later located close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. Festus Keyamo — official statement⁠

25 passengers and seven crew were on board

Preliminary information from the Aviation Minister shows there were 25 passengers and seven crew members, bringing the total number on board to 32.

As of the latest official update, authorities had not confirmed the condition of those on board or announced an official casualty figure.

That distinction is important because some early reports have suggested fatalities, but neither NAF nor the Federal Government had confirmed a death toll at the time of writing.

NAF said emergency teams and other relevant agencies had been deployed for the search and rescue operation.

The Ondo State Government has also directed its emergency-management and health agencies to support the response.

The aircraft was an ATR-42

The ATR-42 is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft used by the Nigerian Air Force for roles including surveillance and transport.

NAF has operated ATR-42 aircraft as ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) platforms, including for security operations and monitoring. Nigerian Air Force — ATR-42 aircraft⁠

The Air Force has not yet said what caused Monday’s crash.

It has also not released the identities of the passengers and crew.

What happens next

The immediate priority is the search and rescue operation and establishing the condition of the 32 people aboard.

The cause of the crash will also need to be investigated.

Because the aircraft belongs to the military, the investigation falls primarily under military authorities rather than Nigeria’s normal civil-aviation accident process.

For now, the important confirmed facts are that NGR 931 crashed near Igbokoda, 32 people were aboard, the wreckage has been located, and search and rescue operations are continuing.

Further information is expected from NAF as the operation progresses.