About 32 passengers have lost their lives in an air crash involving a military aircraft with tail number NGR 931, en route to Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours on Monday.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in a statement yesterday, said information from the Air Traffic Controllers confirmed that the military aircraft crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

He said that the wreckage was located and searched, adding that rescue operations are ongoing. Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and seven crew members on board.

The Minister said, “Whilst the control and regulation of military aircraft are completely outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation and the Civil Aviation Authority, I have just spoken to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged our total cooperation and assistance in the search and rescue efforts ongoing.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Funke Arowojobe, also confirmed the incident involving a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft.

According to the statement, the Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred, and that search and rescue operations have been activated and are ongoing, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.

The Bureau, however, extends its sincere condolences to the Nigerian Air Force and to the families and colleagues of all those on board. “Our thoughts are with them, and with the search and rescue teams working at the site.”

The NSIB, however, offered its readiness to assist the Nigerian Air Force, at its request, with whatever technical support may be required.

The support, according to the statement, may include the deployment of investigators and the use of the Bureau’s Flight Safety Laboratory for the recovery, readout and analysis of flight recorder data.

It said, “As this occurrence involves a military aircraft, investigative responsibility rests with the Nigerian Air Force. The Bureau will provide assistance upon a formal request from the Air Force.”

They urged the public to rely on information exclusively from the Nigerian Air Force.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), in a statement, said it is deeply saddened by the development and extends its thoughts and prayers to the personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, the occupants of the aircraft, their families and all those affected by this distressing incident.

The Authority also reinforced that military aviation operations are outside the regulatory oversight and operational mandate of the Authority and expressed commitment to supporting the national response to this incident.

The statement, signed by the Director General of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, said it is ready to provide such technical expertise and assistance as may be required to support the ongoing search and rescue operations.

“The NCAA is closely monitoring developments and will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities and agencies in accordance with established national emergency response protocols.”