The aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday.

A community leader had confirmed the crash, but said residents were yet to establish the exact location and other details.

He said: “Yes, it is true. A helicopter crashed at Igbokoda, Ondo State. But we don’t know the exact place and other details.”

However, NAF confirmed the incident on Monday in a statement, saying it had activated an immediate search-and-rescue operation following the crash involving an ATR-42 aircraft.

The aircraft was said to have been on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.

In a statement by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, NAF said: “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.

“The NAF is committed to ensuring the success of the ongoing search and rescue efforts. Further details will be communicated in due course.”

Aviation Ministry

Also confirming the crash, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said the aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, disappeared after air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13 a.m.

Keyamo said the aircraft was en route to Lagos from Benin when all efforts to raise it on radio proved unsuccessful.

He said subsequent information confirmed that the aircraft had crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda and that the wreckage had been located.

“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board,” Keyamo said.

The minister did not provide further details on the condition or identities of those on board, as search and rescue operations were still ongoing.

Keyamo noted that the control and regulation of military aircraft were outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

He, however, said he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged the ministry’s full cooperation and assistance in the ongoing search and rescue efforts.

“Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently,” he said.

It was gathered that the incident, which occurred in the coastal community, sparked panic among residents, although details of the crash remained sketchy by press time.

The identity of the helicopter were not immediately known just as the occupants could not be identified.

A community leader, who spoke in confidence, confirmed the crash but said residents were yet to establish the exact location and other details.

According to him, “Yes, it is true. A helicopter crashed at Igbokoda, Ondo State, but we don’t know the exact place and other details.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said he was not aware of the incident when contacted.

Abayomi, however, said he would get back to journalists after conducting further checks.

As of press time, there was no official confirmation of the reported casualties or details of the aircraft involved.