Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has confirmed that search and rescue teams have recovered no survivors from the military aircraft crash that occurred in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area.
Speaking during a Monday interview on Channels Television, the governor stated that local inhabitants, security forces, and emergency crews thoroughly combed the disaster zone but found no living persons.
According to Governor Aiyedatiwa, he was alerted to the disaster at approximately 10:30 a.m. after receiving a phone call from the local council chairman. Local residents living across the river from the Nigerian Navy base in Igbokoda reported hearing a loud noise before seeing the aircraft plunge into a marshy terrain.
Initially, naval personnel held back to check for potential explosions or fires. Once it was established that there was no active fire, they advanced toward the wreckage to look for survivors. Personnel from the Amotekun Corps, local emergency agencies, and community volunteers quickly joined the search mission.
“From the intelligence we received, no life has been saved as of this moment. They could not find any living soul from that aircraft,” Governor Aiyedatiwa explained.
Search teams recovered fragments of the plane's wings, military uniforms, and identification cards, which verified that the crashed vehicle belonged to the armed forces.
Expressing profound sorrow over the tragedy, the governor noted the extra emotional weight of the accident happening not only in his home state but also in his native local government area.
He extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the service members, highlighting that the victims were patriotic officers dedicated to safeguarding the nation's borders. “It happens to Nigerian military officers who are assigned to protect the territorial integrity of our country... It is so painful and very sad,” he lamented.
Reports indicate that the Nigerian Air Force verified the incident, stating that an ATR-42 aircraft bearing tail number NGR 931 went down in Igbokoda during a routine flight from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo noted that initial data revealed a total of 25 passengers and 7 crew members were aboard the flight. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has affirmed that search and recovery operations remain active at the site.