Military aircraft crashes near Naval Base in Ondo, 32 on board

A military aircraft, bearing tail number NGR 931, plummeted toward the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, after vanishing from radar while en route from Benin to Lagos. This alarming incident was reported by Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, through a statement issued on Monday, October 5, 2026. According to initial reports, the aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members. Ongoing search and rescue operations are currently underway to locate survivors and recover the wreckage.

Keyamo stated that Air Traffic Controllers informed him that the military aircraft disappeared after departing Benin and traveling towards Lagos at 0913 hours. Despite attempts to establish radio contact, the aircraft remained unreachable before the confirmation of its crash near the Naval Base in Igbokoda. The wreckage has been identified, and rescue teams are diligently working to ensure the safety of any potential survivors.

Keyamo also shared that he had communicated with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and assured the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development's commitment to supporting the ongoing operation. It is worth noting that Nigeria has witnessed a series of helicopter crashes and incidents in recent years, particularly in the context of offshore operations, military missions, and private flights.

In the past, fatal helicopter crashes outside the country have involved several prominent Nigerians. The California helicopter, bound for Boulder City, Nevada, tragically crashed in the Mojave Desert due to the pilot's decision to continue flying in deteriorating weather conditions, which led to spatial disorientation and loss of control. These incidents highlight a concerning trend of fatal helicopter accidents across Sub-Saharan Africa, involving civilian, military, and tourism operations.

Tragically, in February 2026, a helicopter crash in Nandi County, Kenya, claimed the lives of six individuals, including a Kenyan member of parliament. In April 2024, an army helicopter crash in western Kenya resulted in the loss of Gen Francis Omondi Ogolla, the country's military chief, along with nine other military personnel, with two fortunate survivors. Additionally, in June 2021, a military helicopter crash near Nairobi resulted in the deaths of at least 10 soldiers, with two individuals surviving the incident.