Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, of Ondo state has expressed sadness over the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.
The aircraft, an ATR-42 with tail number NGR 931, was reportedly on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed in a swampy area opposite the Naval Base in Igbokoda in the early hours of Monday, October 5, 2026.
The Nigerian Air Force Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed the incident, while the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board the aircraft.
Aiyedatiwa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, sympathised with the Chief of Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force and families of the passengers and personnel on board the aircraft.
The governor said he had been in contact with the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Maurice Oripelaye, and security agencies involved in the response.
He directed the State Emergency Management Agency, Ministry of Health and relevant security agencies to immediately mobilise personnel and provide full logistical support to the Nigerian Air Force and other emergency agencies conducting search and rescue operations at the crash site.
Aiyedatiwa also ordered that the crash site be cordoned off and secured to ensure unhindered rescue operations. He urged residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm, cooperate with emergency responders and avoid spreading unverified information.
The governor said the state government would continue to monitor the situation and provide updates based on information from the Nigerian Air Force, while praying for the safety of the officers and the success of the rescue operation.
