A military aircraft carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members crashed in southern Nigeria, prompting a rapid search and rescue effort, authorities said. The ATR‑42 was on a routine mission to Lagos when it went down in the Igbokoda area of Ondo state. No immediate information on casualties was released.
Nigerian Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo noted that the aircraft vanished from radar at about 9 a.m. local time and was later found near a naval base. The plane was identified by the Air Force as tail number NGR 931. The incident occurred while the aircraft was en route from Benin to Lagos.
Local witnesses reported that the plane struck a river and that part of the wreckage was sinking. Akinbulejo Pius described hearing a “thunder strike” and seeing the aircraft clear trees before crashing. He later found body parts, clothes and shoes on the ground.
Air Force spokesperson Ehimen Ejodame confirmed ongoing search and rescue operations coordinated with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies. Keyamo pledged full cooperation with the Chief of Air Staff and promised further information as it becomes available.
