32 Souls On Board: Tears As Military Aircraft NGR 931 Crashes Near Ondo Naval Base
It was supposed to be a routine flight from Benin to Lagos. It ended in smoke and silence near the water.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Monday confirmed the crash of a military aircraft with tail number NGR 931 after it disappeared from radar en route to Lagos.
In a statement issued by the ministry, Keyamo said Air Traffic Controllers lost contact with the aircraft at about 9:13 a.m., and all efforts to raise it on radio proved abortive.
“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 to Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours earlier today. All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive,” the minister said.
Moments later, the worst was confirmed. The aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, where wreckage has now been located.
“Subsequently, information, however, confirmed that the military aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The wreckage has been located, and search and rescue operations are ongoing,” Keyamo stated.
Preliminary information indicates 32 persons were on board, 25 passengers and seven crew members.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board,” he said.
Keyamo noted that while military aircraft fall outside the regulatory control of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, he has reached out to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, pledging full cooperation and assistance in the ongoing search and rescue efforts.
“Whilst the control and regulation of military aircraft are completely outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation and the Civil Aviation Authority, I have just spoken to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, and pledged our total cooperation and assistance in the search and rescue efforts ongoing,” he said.
He added that further details would be released as they become available.
“Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently.”
