Thirty-two people died when a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 turboprop crashed into a swamp in Ondo State on October 5, 2026. The aircraft vanished from radar shortly after taking off from Benin City while on a routine mission to Lagos, prompting a three-day national mourning period declared by President Bola Tinubu.
Dayo Akinte, a firewood hawker who lives roughly a kilometer from the accident site in Igbokoda, described hearing a sound she thought was thunder at the time she believes the plane went down. Someone who went fishing in the swamp later alerted the nearby naval base and residents in the coastal town. Footage shared across social media platforms captured a gathering of onlookers by a waterway as rescue teams patrolled the area via boat.
Radar Loss and the Crash Site at Igbokoda
The twin-engine turboprop, carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, included family members of military personnel and crew. The aircraft bore tail number NGR 931 and was travelling from Benin City to the economic hub of Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13 a.m. local time (0813 GMT).
A senior air traffic controller familiar with the journey noted that the aircraft had disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff. Repeated attempts by air traffic controllers to reach the aircraft on the radio proved unsuccessful. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo stated that the wreckage was located near the naval base in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area in Ondo State. Another resident, who identified himself simply as Sola, stated that the crash occurred while it was drizzling. An eyewitness reported seeing military personnel and local fishermen helping at the scene, noting that the wreckage was difficult to remove because the plane forcefully entered into the swampy area. Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the reported aircraft crash in the Igbokoda axis of Ilaje Local Government Area.
President Tinubu Declares Three Days of National Mourning
President Bola Tinubu confirmed the death toll of 32 and declared three days of national mourning for the Air Force personnel who died in the accident, directing that flags be flown at half-staff across the country. In a statement released by his office, the president offered his condolences to those affected.
Tinubu added that this is a painful moment for our armed forces and for the entire nation. The presidency stated that the Air Force will release the identities of the victims after notifying their families. President Tinubu extended his condolences to the families of the 25 passengers and seven crew members involved. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo additionally mentioned that he had been in contact with Nigeria’s Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, conveying the full support and partnership of the Aviation Ministry throughout the search and rescue operations. Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa expressed his sadness over the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Igbokoda.
Nigerian Air Force Searches for Flight Recorder
The Nigerian Air Force, through its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, stated that search and rescue operations were ongoing in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.
President Tinubu directed the Nigerian Air Force to launch an exhaustive probe into the factors behind the crash without delay in order to avert future incidents. The search for the flight recorder and the inquiry into the accident continue, with military personnel, police officers, emergency responders, and local fishermen remaining at the crash site to recover victims and secure the wreckage.