Ondo Igbokoda Aircraft Crash: Preliminary Count Puts Occupants At 32, Names And Condition Still Undisclosed

An aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Air Force crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday, October 5, 2026, with preliminary information indicating that 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed the preliminary figure, bringing the reported number of occupants to 32. Their names and condition had not been publicly disclosed in the latest updates reviewed, while search and rescue operations remained underway.

The Nigerian Air Force identified the aircraft as an ATR-42, providing clarification after early reports described the aircraft that went down in the coastal community as a helicopter. Its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed that the force had activated an immediate search and rescue response.

Keyamo identified the aircraft’s tail number as NGR 931. He said air traffic controllers lost contact with it at approximately 9:13 a.m. while it was travelling from Benin to Lagos. Subsequent information placed the wreckage near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.

According to the Air Force, the aircraft was undertaking a routine mission when the accident occurred. Ejodame said the rescue operation was being conducted in collaboration with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.

“Search and Rescue operations, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, are currently ongoing,” he said.

The Air Force also assured the public that further details would be communicated as more information became available.

Local accounts placed the crash in swampy terrain near the naval facility. Personnel from the base reportedly mobilised towards the location following reports of the incident, as authorities worked to establish the circumstances and determine the fate of those aboard.

The Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Maurice Oripelaye, confirmed the crash in a telephone conversation with journalists. He said military gear had been found at the scene and described the wreckage as badly burnt.

“Military gear was found at the scene, but the helicopter had burnt to rubble,” Oripelaye said.

The chairman’s reference to a helicopter formed part of the initial accounts of the incident, before the Air Force subsequently identified the aircraft as an ATR-42. At the time he spoke, Oripelaye said the number of people aboard could not yet be established.

The incident reportedly caused panic in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area. A local source said residents heard a loud sound from the direction of the crash site on Monday morning but could not immediately reach it because of the swampy creek terrain.

The source added that police and military personnel later arrived for rescue efforts. Although there were fears about the occupants’ survival, the account did not establish a verified casualty figure.

The Ondo State Police Command separately confirmed the reported aircraft crash. Its spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said information was still being gathered to establish the full circumstances.

“Details surrounding the incident are still emerging, as efforts to establish the full circumstances continue,” he said.

The command urged residents of Igbokoda and adjoining communities to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information.

“The Command urges members of the public, particularly residents of Igbokoda and adjoining communities, to remain calm and refrain from circulating unverified information.

“The public will be duly informed as soon as further credible information becomes available.”

As of the latest updates reviewed, authorities had not publicly identified the passengers and crew or confirmed a death toll. The cause of the accident also remained unknown, with further information expected as search and rescue operations continued.

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