32 Feared Trapped as NAF Aircraft Crashes in Ondo Swamp

​The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has officially confirmed that an ATR-42 military transport aircraft crashed on Monday in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, with 32 people reported to be on board.

​The flight, bearing tail number NGR 931, was on a routine operational mission traveling from Benin, Edo State, heading toward Lagos. According to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, air traffic controllers completely lost radio and radar contact with the aircraft at approximately 9:13 a.m. All subsequent attempts to re-establish communication failed.

​Following the disappearance, emergency responders and local authorities mobilized, locating the wreckage near a naval base in the swampy terrains of Igbokoda. Local government officials noted that the terrain has made initial access challenging.

​The manifest includes 25 passengers and seven crew members, bringing the total number of individuals on board to 32.

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​The Director of Public Relations and Information for the NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, stated that an immediate joint search and rescue operation has been activated alongside emergency response agencies. While the ministry and aviation regulators do not possess direct oversight over military aircraft fleets, Minister Keyamo confirmed he is in direct communication with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, to coordinate full ministerial support for the rescue mission.

​Authorities have yet to release official casualty figures or details regarding the condition of those aboard, as ground teams continue navigating the difficult swamp environment to secure the site. Further updates are expected as the rescue operations progress.