Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has given a grim update on the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area, saying no survivor had been found at the crash site as search and recovery operations continued.
The NAF aircraft crashed on Monday, October 5, 2026, in a swampy area opposite the Naval Base in Igbokoda while reportedly travelling from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos on a routine mission.
Following the incident, emergency responders, security personnel and local residents mobilised to the difficult-to-access crash location to search for those aboard the aircraft.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, who received updates from officials at the scene, said the search had not produced any confirmed survivor at the time of his statement.
Governor deploys emergency agencies
The governor directed the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ministry of Health and relevant security agencies to provide personnel, logistics and other support for the ongoing operation.
He also ordered that the crash site be secured and properly cordoned off to allow emergency officials and the Nigerian Air Force to conduct recovery operations.
Aiyedatiwa expressed condolences to the Nigerian Air Force and the families of those aboard the aircraft, describing the incident as a painful tragedy for the state.
32 people reportedly on board
According to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, 32 people were aboard the aircraft — 25 passengers and seven crew members.
The Nigerian Air Force subsequently activated search-and-rescue operations after the aircraft went down.
The exact circumstances surrounding the crash remained under investigation, with authorities expected to establish what happened to the aircraft before the incident.
Tinubu orders investigation
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Nigerian Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation into the crash and determine the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
Recovery efforts and investigations were ongoing as authorities worked to secure the site, account for everyone aboard and establish the cause of the accident.
The incident has renewed concerns about aviation safety and the risks faced by military personnel and other occupants of aircraft operating on official missions.
Authorities are expected to provide further updates as recovery operations and the investigation progress.