*32 Aboard Now Presumed Dead
*Town’s Topography Not Helped By Rainy Season
*Crash Axis Home To Pythons, Others
The Nigerian military aircraft which today crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, with 32 persons on board –and who are presently presumed dead — reportedly fell off the sky and into a swamp, according to an eye witness.
The source, a male resident of the area, who spoke to TVC News today, said he was among those who hurried to the crash axis, adding that immediate rescue was impossible for the early responders as they could not access the swampy terrain even as they lacked relevant tools to possibly help the passengers.
He added that they went to the scene alongside some personnel of the Nigerian Navy.
The aircraft, an ATR-42, crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda while travelling from Benin to Lagos.
Earlier today, after reports of the crash jolted the nation, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed that 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard the aircraft.
Topography Of Igbokoda
Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area (LGA) is located in the southern, oil-producing riverine region of Ondo State, with its geography featuring a criss-crossing network of creeks, rivers, and wetlands.
Residents of the area say the swamps and the accompanying lush vegetation are routinely inhabited by pythons, cobras and other dangerous animals.
People&Politics found out that with a low elevation of about three meters above sea level, most of the town’s terrain is below 15 to 20 meters, thus making it easily prone to waterlogging and flooding, especially in the current rainy season.
Keyamo Opens Up
In a statement posted on his official X handle today (Monday, 5 October), Keyamo said air traffic controllers (ATCs) had informed him that the military aircraft, with registration number NGR 931, travelling from Benin to Lagos, had disappeared from radar.
He said the aircraft was last in communication at about 9:13am.
“All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive,” Keyamo said.
According to him, subsequent information confirmed that the aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
“The wreckage has been located and search and rescue operations are ongoing,” he added, at the time.
The Minister added that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have no regulatory control over military aircraft.
“Whilst the control and regulation of military aircraft are completely outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation, and Civil Aviation Authority, I have just spoken to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke and pledged our total cooperation and assistance in the search and rescue efforts ongoing,” he said.
He added that further information would be made available as authorities continued to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) had earlier confirmed the crash, saying an ATR-42 aircraft had gone down in the Igbokoda area while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
In a statement issued by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, NAF said it immediately commenced a search and rescue operation.
“The Nigerian Air Force has commenced an immediate Search and Rescue operation following an ATR-42 aircraft accident in Igbokoda Area of Ondo State on 5th October 2026,” Ejodame said.
The NAF said its personnel were working with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies in the search and rescue operation.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Some aid responders in the crash area.
