The Federal Government has confirmed that a total of 32 people were on board the military aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Monday.
According to him, Air Traffic Controllers had earlier reported the disappearance of the military aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, while it was en route from Benin to Lagos.
According to him, the aircraft disappeared from radar at about 9:13am after efforts to establish radio communication with the crew proved unsuccessful.
Keyamo statement reads, “I regret to inform the general public that Air Traffic Controllers have informed me of the disappearance of a military aircraft with tail number NGR 931, enroute Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours earlier today. All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive.
Subsequently, information, however, confirmed that the military aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The wreckage has been located and search and rescue operations are ongoing.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board.
“Whilst the control and regulation of military aircraft are completely outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation, and 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.
“Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently.”