The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) have offered technical assistance to the Nigerian Air Force following the crash of an NAF ATR-42 aircraft at Igbokoda in Ondo State.
The aircraft, with registration number NGR931, was reportedly on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos on Monday, October 5, 2026, when it crashed in the Igbokoda area. The aircraft was said to have approximately 32 people on board.
Recall that the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had earlier confirmed the crash.
The minister, in a statement on Monday, said the wreckage of the aircraft had been located close to the naval facility.
According to him, preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board the aircraft.
The NCAA, in a statement signed by its Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo, expressed concern over the incident and sympathised with the Nigerian Air Force, the occupants of the aircraft, their families and others affected by the accident.
The authority, however, noted that military aviation operations fall outside its regulatory oversight and operational mandate.
It said it remained ready to provide technical expertise and other assistance that might be required to support the ongoing search and rescue operation.
“The NCAA is closely monitoring developments and will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities and agencies in accordance with established national emergency response protocols,” Najomo said.
Similarly, the NSIB said it was prepared to assist the Nigerian Air Force if formally requested.
In a statement signed by its Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., the bureau confirmed that it had received reports of the accident involving the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft.
The NSIB said search and rescue operations had been activated and were ongoing in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.
According to the bureau, its assistance could include deploying investigators and using its Flight Safety Laboratory for the recovery, readout and analysis of flight recorder data.
It stressed, however, that because the incident involved a military aircraft, investigative responsibility rests with the Nigerian Air Force.
“The Bureau will provide assistance upon a formal request from the Air Force,” it stated.
The NSIB commended the activation of search and rescue operations and the efforts of first responders at the crash site.
It also urged members of the public to rely exclusively on official updates from the Nigerian Air Force concerning the rescue operation and any subsequent investigation.
Both aviation agencies expressed condolences to personnel of the Nigerian Air Force and the families and colleagues of those on board, while praying for the safety and successful rescue of those involved.
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