Igbokoda, Nigeria — The nation is in mourning following a tragic air disaster that claimed the lives of 25 individuals, including 19 military personnel and six civilians. The Nigerian Air Force’s ATR-42 crashed into a swamp in Ondo State while on a routine flight from Benin City to Lagos on Monday, October 5, 2026. This incident marks the deadliest military aircraft accident in the country in over 30 years.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a three-day period of national mourning, directing that flags be flown at half-mast across the country. He expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and praised the bravery of the air force personnel who serve to maintain national security. The investigation into the crash’s cause is of utmost importance, Tinubu emphasized, as officials seek to prevent further tragedies of this nature.
The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control at approximately 9:13 a.m. before its wreckage was located near a naval base in Igbokoda, a coastal community within the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. Emergency responders faced challenges accessing the crash site due to the swampy terrain, complicating recovery efforts.
Initial reports from Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo indicated a higher death toll of 32. However, the Air Force later confirmed that 25 individuals were aboard the flight. The victims included both crew members and passengers, underscoring the broad impact of this disaster.
Senate members have expressed their condolences to the armed forces and the families affected. Senator Osita Ngwu, who chairs the Senate Committee on Air Force, called the crash a significant loss for the nation and assured that his committee would seek comprehensive information from air force leadership regarding the circumstances of the incident.
In a statement on social media, Senator Ngwu urged citizens to await accurate information from official sources rather than relying on unverified accounts. Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has mobilized state emergency services to assist with logistics at the scene and has secured the area to facilitate rescue operations.
The ATR-42 aircraft is a twin-engine turboprop commonly utilized by the Nigerian Air Force for various transport missions, including operations against armed groups and counter-terrorism efforts. These missions are critical to maintaining stability in the region, a point noted by President Tinubu during his remarks on the loss.
The investigation into the aircraft’s crash is ongoing, and authorities have stated that more information will be released as it becomes available. Families of the deceased await updates, while the Air Force continues its search for answers about how a routine mission turned into a national tragedy.