Nigerian military aircraft crashes in Ondo State, killing all 32 aboard
Version 2: Dong-A Ilbo joined Yonhap and Newsis in reporting the crash, the confirmed death toll of 32, the president’s condolences and his order for an investigation, with no new facts beyond those already reported.
In short
A Nigerian military aircraft with 32 people aboard crashed on 5 October near Igbokoda in Ondo State while flying to Lagos, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said. President Bola Tinubu said all 32 people on board — 25 passengers and seven crew — died, and ordered an investigation into the cause. The Air Force said the aircraft was an ATR-42 and that it began search and rescue operations at the site.
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A Nigerian military aircraft carrying 32 people crashed in southern Nigeria on 5 October, and all those on board died. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said the aircraft went down at about 9 a.m. local time near Igbokoda, a riverside village in Ondo State, while flying from Edo State to the economic hub of Lagos, Yonhap reported. President Bola Tinubu said in a statement that the 32 people on board died, according to Newsis and Dong-A Ilbo. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
The Nigerian Air Force identified the aircraft as an ATR-42, a twin-engine turboprop built by the French manufacturer ATR. Keyamo said 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board, and the Air Force said it began search and rescue operations at the crash site. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
Tinubu expressed condolences to the families of the 25 passengers and the seven crew members, saying “I pray for the souls of the brave soldiers to rest,” and ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the cause, Newsis and Dong-A Ilbo reported. [ 4 , 5 ]
Keyamo said the aircraft first disappeared from radar at about 9 a.m. and was later confirmed to have crashed near a naval base, according to Newsis. Residents told AP the aircraft came down near a river and that part of its fuselage was sinking into the water. Newsis reported that the Nigerian military has previously used ATR-42 aircraft for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions and for transporting troops and supplies. [ 4 , 5 ]
Yonhap first reported the crash, citing AP and Keyamo, and said the fate of those aboard was not immediately confirmed; Newsis followed with an account that also said casualty figures were unconfirmed. Both outlets later reported that all 32 people aboard had died, after Tinubu’s statement. No cause for the crash has been given. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The crash killed 32 people on a single military flight and led Nigeria’s president to order an immediate investigation, which could draw attention to the safety of military air transport. The documents report no wider consequences and give no cause, so significance beyond the loss of life is not yet established.
Key facts
- A Nigerian military aircraft with 32 people aboard crashed in southern Nigeria on 5 October. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said the aircraft went down at about 9 a.m. local time near Igbokoda in Ondo State while heading to Lagos. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
- The Nigerian Air Force said the aircraft was an ATR-42, a twin-engine turboprop made by the French manufacturer ATR. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
- Twenty-five passengers and seven crew members were on board, according to Keyamo and President Bola Tinubu’s statement. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
- President Bola Tinubu said all 32 people aboard died and expressed condolences to their families. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Tinubu also ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the cause of the crash. [ 4 , 5 ]
- Residents told AP the aircraft crashed near a river and that part of the fuselage was sinking into the water. [ 4 , 5 ]
- The Air Force said it began search and rescue operations at the crash site. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A Nigerian military aircraft crashed in Ondo State, in southern Nigeria. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- All 32 people aboard died, according to President Bola Tinubu. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The Nigerian Air Force identified the aircraft as an ATR-42. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
- The aircraft carried 25 passengers and seven crew members. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
- Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said the aircraft went down at about 9 a.m. local time near Igbokoda in Ondo State while flying to Lagos. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
- Tinubu offered condolences to the families of those aboard and ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the cause. [ 4 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- What caused the aircraft to crash. No document gives a cause; the president has ordered an investigation, whose findings are not yet reported.
- What mission the aircraft was flying. One document says the flight was heading from Edo State to Lagos, another describes a regular mission to Lagos, and a third says the military has used ATR-42 aircraft for surveillance and for carrying troops and supplies, without saying which mission this flight was on.
- Whether the crash site has been fully secured or all wreckage recovered. Documents say residents reported part of the fuselage sinking into the water and that search and rescue began, but give no outcome.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The military aircraft disappears from radar and is later confirmed to have crashed near a naval base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, according to Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo; Keyamo earlier placed the crash at about this time. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
- Yonhap reports a Nigerian military aircraft with 32 people aboard has crashed, citing AP and Keyamo, and says the fate of those aboard is not immediately confirmed. [ 1 ]
- Newsis reports the crash with 32 people aboard, saying casualty figures are not confirmed. [ 2 ]
- Yonhap reports that all 32 people aboard died. [ 3 ]
- Newsis reports President Bola Tinubu confirming 32 deaths, expressing condolences and ordering an investigation. [ 4 ]
- Dong-A Ilbo reports the same confirmed death toll, Tinubu’s statement and the investigation order. [ 5 ]