Nigerian Air Force Aircraft Crash: 32 Passengers and Crew Feared Dead, No Survivors Found
All 25 passengers and 7 crew members aboard a Nigerian Air Force ATR 42 Maritime Patrol Aircraft are feared dead following a crash in Ondo State.
Video footage from the wreckage site in a swampy area of Igbokoda shows debris, clothing, personal effects, and remains scattered across the scene. Eyewitnesses report that, so far, there is no evidence of any survivors.
Speaking to Channels Television on Monday evening, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa stated that locals described hearing a sound resembling an earth tremor.
Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft nosedive into the swamp, noting there was no immediate sign of fire.
Authorities are currently combing the crash site to locate and identify victims. Governor Aiyedatiwa confirmed that search teams have only recovered debris and personal items so far.
“From the information we got, no single life has been saved up till this moment; they could not see any living soul. But they saw a wreckage from the aircraft,” Aiyedatiwa said. He also said ID cards and uniforms were also found, which confirmed that it was a military transport plane.
The cause of the crash remains under active investigation.
Initial reports on Monday morning suggested the downed aircraft was an Air Force helicopter.
However, the Nigerian Air Force and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development later confirmed it was an ATR 42 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, bearing tail number NGR 931.
The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it lost signal and disappeared from radar. It was subsequently located in the Ilaje area of Ondo State, approximately 244 kilometres from its intended destination.
