Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 Crashes After Technical Issues

The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, marked NAF 931, crashed in the Obe-Rebby swamp in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State shortly after taking off for Lagos on October 6, 2026. The aircraft had departed Abuja on October 5, 2026, carrying passengers scheduled to disembark in Benin City.

After landing in Benin, it developed an engine fault, which led to it being grounded overnight for repairs. Technicians worked on the aircraft, claiming to have rectified the issue before its departure on Monday morning.

A relative of one of the victims stated that the passenger had informed the family about the technical problem and that the flight was not a routine military mission but rather a scheduled flight from Abuja to Lagos with a stop in Benin. The aircraft lost contact with air traffic controllers at approximately 9:13 a.m. on October 6, shortly after takeoff, and subsequently crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.