32 Killed as Nigerian Military Aircraft Crashes in Ondo State

ABUJA, October 5, 2026 — Thirty-two people have reportedly died after a Nigerian military aircraft travelling from Benin City to Lagos crashed in Ondo State on Monday.

The aircraft, an Air Force ATR-42, was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members. Authorities confirmed that there were no survivors.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed profound sadness over the tragedy and extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

According to the President, the Chief of Air Staff has briefed him on the incident, while the Nigerian Air Force has been directed to immediately begin a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of the crash and help prevent similar incidents in the future.

Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said the aircraft was on a routine flight from Benin City to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at approximately 8:13 a.m. GMT.

The wreckage was later discovered near Igbokoda, a coastal community in Ondo State, where search and rescue personnel were subsequently deployed.

The crash, which claimed the lives of all 32 people on board, is being described as one of Nigeria's deadliest aviation disasters in recent years.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are expected to continue as authorities work to establish what caused the aircraft to go down.