A military aircraft crashed on Monday in southern Nigeria, prompting an ongoing search and rescue operation, officials confirmed. The plane, carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, went down near the riverside town of Igbokoda in Ondo state while on a routine mission to Lagos, Nigeria’s economic center.
The Nigerian Air Force identified the aircraft as an ATR-42 but did not immediately disclose the extent of the damage or confirm casualties. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo released a statement confirming the crash and the ongoing rescue efforts, emphasizing coordination among relevant authorities and emergency response teams.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud noise resembling thunder at the time of the crash. One local, Akinbulejo Pius, described how the aircraft passed over trees before crashing near a river, with parts of the wreckage reportedly sinking into the water. Witnesses also said they found body parts, clothing, and shoes near the crash site.
The Air Force spokesperson Ehimen Ejodame said search and rescue operations were underway, but no further information about survivors or fatalities was available at the time. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.