32 lives lost as military helicopter crashes in Ondo, South West Nigeria
By OUR REPORTER, Akure
Keyamo said the regulation and control of military aircraft were outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), but assured that his ministry would provide necessary support to the rescue operation.
Many people are feared dead after a military aircraft with tail number NGR 931, travelling from Benin to Lagos, crashed around the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, South West Nigeria, on Monday October 5, 2026.
The incident was confirmed by the Ondo State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, who said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Jimoh, who spoke with journalists in Akure, urged residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information.
He said the police command would provide further information to the public as soon as credible details become available.
The DEFENDER reports that the Ondo State Governor, Mr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, had immediately directed search and rescue operation as soon as information about the crash on the state’s territory reached his government.
In the meantime, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), reacting to the development, said efforts to establish radio contact with the aircraft had proved unsuccessful moment it was declared missing from the radar.
According to Keyamo, wreckage of the crashed helicopter had been located, while search and rescue operations were ongoing.
Preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members making 32 persons on board the aircraft.
Keyamo said the regulation and control of military aircraft were outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), but assured that his ministry would provide necessary support to the rescue operation.
The minister also disclosed that he had spoken with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged the ministry’s full cooperation in the ongoing search and rescue efforts.
As of the time of filing this report, the identities of the aircraft and those on board had not been officially established.
Authorities are expected to release further details as the search and rescue operation progresses.
