A Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft with tail number NGR 931 disappeared from radar shortly after taking off from Benin City, Edo State, for Lagos before crashing in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
According to a senior air traffic controller familiar with the aircraft’s final journey, communication with the plane was established shortly after take-off but was later lost. Attempts to re-establish contact were unsuccessful.
The aircraft disappeared from radar at about 9:13am on Monday, October 5, 2026. Personnel at reporting points around Okitipupa reportedly later heard a loud bang believed to have come from the crash site.
The Federal Ministry of Aviation confirmed that the wreckage was eventually located near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, with search and rescue operations activated. Preliminary information showed that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board, making 32 people in total.
The Nigerian Air Force said the aircraft was carrying out a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Nigerian Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash.
The circumstances surrounding the aircraft’s sudden loss of communication and disappearance from radar are expected to form part of the investigation.
Leave a comment