The Federal Government (FG) has confirmed that 32 people were on board a military aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday morning.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed the incident in an official statement shortly after the crash site was identified near the Igbokoda Naval Base.
According to Keyamo, Air Traffic Controllers lost contact with the aircraft, a military plane with tail number NGR 931, at approximately 9:13 am while it was en route from Benin to Lagos.
The plane vanished from radar screens after repeated, unsuccessful attempts by controllers to establish radio communication with the flight crew.
“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, en route Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours earlier today.
“All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive,” Keyamo stated.
The Minister confirmed that the wreckage has since been located and that comprehensive search and rescue operations are currently underway at the crash site. Preliminary manifests indicate the flight was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members.
While noting that the regulation of military aviation falls entirely outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Aviation and the Civil Aviation Authority, Keyamo stated he has been in direct contact with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, to pledge full civil aviation cooperation and technical assistance.
Military and aviation authorities have disclosed the identities of those on board, and investigations into the cause of the crash are expected to begin immediately.
CREW
- Squadron Leader MI Aburime (Flight Captain)
- Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje (Co-pilot)
- Flight Lieutenant IS Bako (Co-pilot)
- Warrant Officer Abubakar A (Aircraft Technician)
- Corporal Uguru HC (Aircraft Technician)
PASSENGERS
6. Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus
7. Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye
8. Flying Officer IM Adeshina
9. Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F
10. Master Warrant Officer Matini BA
11. Warrant Officer Nuhu FS
12. Flight Sergeant James RB
13. Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI
14. Sergeant Ani AE
15. Sergeant Izibenikien SI
16. Sergeant Alafuka C
17. Sergeant Mbadugha AN
18. Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC
19. Lance Corporal Eledan GE
20. Mrs Ezeh Nneka
21. Godstmine Tarabina
22. Joy Micheal
23. Sunday Micheal
24. Ukeme David
25. Gideon Omotola
