Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo has confirmed the crash of military aircraft NGR 931 in Igbokoda, Ondo State with 25 passengers and seven crew members on board
According to a ministry statement released Monday, air traffic control lost contact with the Lagos-bound flight from Benin at approximately 9:13 a.m. before it disappeared from radar.
“I regret to inform the general public that Air Traffic Controllers have informed me of the disappearance of a military aircraft with tail number NGR 931, en route to Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours earlier today. All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive,” he said.
According to the minister, the aircraft was subsequently confirmed to have crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
He said the wreckage had been located while search and rescue operations were ongoing.
“Subsequently, information, however, confirmed that the military aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The wreckage has been located, and search and rescue operations are ongoing.”
The minister disclosed that preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board the aircraft.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board,” he said.
Keyamo, however, noted that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had no control over or regulatory authority over military aircraft.
“Whilst the control and regulation of military aircraft are completely outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation and the Civil Aviation Authority, I have just spoken to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, and pledged our total cooperation and assistance in the search and rescue efforts ongoing,” he said.
“Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently.”
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