NAF Aircraft Crash in Ondo State Claims 32 Lives

On 5 October 2026, a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Ondo State, resulting in the deaths of 32 people on board. The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos when it went down near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area.

Defence Minister General Christopher Musa, Minister of State for Defence Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, and Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede expressed their grief over the incident. Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, conveyed condolences on behalf of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and announced that search-and-rescue operations were ongoing.

An investigation has been ordered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to determine the cause of the crash. Musa described the incident as an "irreparable blow" to the military and the nation, while Matawalle referred to it as a "profound tragedy." The Defence Headquarters urged respect for the privacy of the affected families during this difficult time.