Thirty-two people were killed when a Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashed in southwestern Nigeria on Monday, authorities said on Tuesday. The aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members.
The ATR-42 was flying from Benin City to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at 9:13 am local time, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said. The aircraft later crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
Initial information from the Air Force put the number of people aboard at 25 and identified those believed to have been on the aircraft.
“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation. Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said in a statement released by his office.
Search-and-rescue teams were deployed after the wreckage was located. The Air Force said it worked with other authorities and emergency agencies at the crash site.
Tinubu ordered the Air Force to launch a full investigation into the cause of the crash. “I have declared three days of national mourning and directed that our flags be flown at half-mast throughout the country in honor of those we have lost,” the president added.
Nigeria has recorded several deadly military aviation accidents in recent years. In May 2021, a military aircraft crashed near Kaduna airport, killing all 11 people aboard, including then-Army chief Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru. Three months earlier, seven Air Force personnel died when a Beechcraft King Air B350i crashed near Abuja after reporting engine failure.
Monday’s accident came days after a helicopter crash in Zimbabwe killed businessman Wicknell Chivayo, a close ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and others aboard.
🚨🇳🇬 “Only scattered pieces of wreckage, military wear in sight.” Villagers describe an unbelievable crash scene after military aircraft NGR 931 reportedly crashed in Ondo, with over 25 people said to have been on board. 😭💔 Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the people of Nigeria. 🇳🇬🙏🏾
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