Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 Crash Claims 32 Lives in 2026

In 2026, Nigeria faced multiple notable aviation incidents, with the most severe occurring on October 5 when a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed near Igbokoda, Ondo State, while en route from Benin to Lagos. Tragically, all 32 individuals on board perished in the crash, which led to a search-and-rescue operation that located the wreckage near a naval base.

Earlier in the year, on July 23, an Enugu Air Embraer ERJ 170 overran the runway at Oba Akenzua II Airport in Benin, carrying 68 people, all of whom were evacuated safely. On June 10, a VMO Aero Bombardier Challenger 601 mistakenly landed on a road under construction near Asaba Airport, with no injuries reported among the seven occupants.

Additionally, on February 11, an Arik Air Boeing 737 experienced an engine anomaly while flying from Lagos to Port Harcourt but landed safely at Benin Airport. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) is conducting investigations into these incidents.