Nigeria launches rescue after military aircraft crashes with 32 aboard

Nigeria has initiated a search-and-rescue mission following a military aircraft crash that claimed 32 lives, according to officials. The wreckage of the aircraft was discovered near the naval base in Igbokoda, located in Ondo State in the southwest region of the country. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo announced the location of the wreckage on Monday through a statement on social media.

The plane vanished while en route from Benin to Lagos. Initial reports suggest that there were 25 passengers and seven crew members aboard the aircraft. Air traffic controllers lost communication with the plane at 09:13 local time, which corresponds to 0813 GMT. Despite repeated attempts to establish radio contact, the plane remained unresponsive.

The Nigerian Air Force confirmed that the aircraft was an ATR-42, en route to Lagos for a routine journey. Rescue teams have been mobilized to the crash site, and Keyamo expressed the Aviation Ministry's readiness to provide "total cooperation and assistance" in the rescue operation. The authorities have not yet verified the number of casualties, and the extent of the aircraft's damage remains uncertain.