Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has mobilised emergency response agencies following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, in the early hours of Monday.

The aircraft, identified as an ATR-42 with tail number NGR 931, went down in a swampy area opposite the naval base in Igbokoda while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the incident occurred.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed that 25 passengers and 7 crew members were on board, bringing the total number of persons on board to 32.

According to Aiyedatiwa in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the crash was received with sadness, with sympathy expressed to the “Chief of Air Staff, the entire Nigerian Air Force family, and the families of all personnel and passengers on board the ill-fated aircraft. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.”

Meanwhile, residents of Igbokoda and adjoining communities have been urged to remain calm and cooperate with emergency responders.

The statement further read that “the Governor has been in contact with the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, the Ilaje Local Government Chairman, Hon. Maurice Oripelaye, and security agencies on the ground.

“Governor Aiyedatiwa has directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Ministry of Health, and relevant security agencies to immediately mobilise and offer full logistical and human support to the Nigerian Air Force and other emergency response agencies in the search and rescue operations currently ongoing at the crash site.

“The governor has also directed that the area be cordoned off and secured to allow for smooth and unhindered rescue operations.

“The Ondo State Government will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available from the Nigerian Air Force.

“We pray for the safety of our gallant officers and for the success of the rescue efforts.”