The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that the aircraft which crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday belonged to the force.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Ehimen Ejodame, said the ATR-42 aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred in the early hours of Monday, October 5, 2026.
Ejodame disclosed this in a statement issued following the incident, saying the NAF had immediately activated a search and rescue operation.
“The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has activated an immediate Search and Rescue operation following an ATR-42 aircraft accident in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on 5 October 2026,” the statement read.
According to the statement, the aircraft was carrying out a routine mission when the accident occurred.
“The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred. Search and Rescue operations, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, are currently ongoing,” it added.
Politics Nigeria reports that the NAF said it remained committed to ensuring the success of the rescue operation, while promising to provide further information as it becomes available.
“The NAF is committed to ensuring the success of the ongoing Search and Rescue efforts. Further details will be communicated in due course,” Ejodame said.
This confirmation by the Air Force came after the Ondo State Police Command earlier confirmed the reported aircraft crash in the Igbokoda axis of Ilaje Local Government Area.
The police spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said details surrounding the incident were still emerging as authorities worked to establish the circumstances of the crash.
Jimoh urged residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm and avoid circulating information that had not been verified.
“The Command urges members of the public, particularly residents of Igbokoda and adjoining communities, to remain calm and refrain from circulating unverified information,” he said.
The police spokesperson added that members of the public would be informed once further credible information became available.
Meanwhile, reports from the area indicated that some occupants of the crashed aircraft might have died, although the number of casualties had not been established as of the time of filing this report.
A source said the aircraft crashed in a swampy area of Igbokoda, making access to the scene difficult for residents.
The source said residents heard a loud sound from the area where the aircraft came down but could not immediately reach the crash site because it was located inside a creek.
“It happened this morning. We heard a very loud sound in the area where the incident occurred, but we could not get there because the place is a swampy area inside the creek; we are just looking at it from afar,” the source said.
The source added that police and military personnel later arrived at the area to commence rescue efforts, although there were fears that some occupants might have died.
“But the police and the military people later came around there for rescue, but the occupants of the helicopter might have died there,” the source added.
