Nigerian Air Force says 25 died in Ondo aircraft crash

A Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashed near Igbokoda in Ondo State on October 5, killing all 25 people aboard, the Air Force said Tuesday. The victims included five crew members and 20 passengers, among them civilians, according to its account. No survivors had been found. The aircraft, identified as NAF 931, was on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos, the Air Force said. Air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13 a.m. local time, according to information provided by Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo. The crash occurred in a swampy area near the Igbokoda Naval Base, in Ilaje Local Government Area. The Air Force released the names of the 25 people it said were aboard. The Defence Headquarters said military personnel and some of their family members were among those on the flight. Search and rescue operations were activated after the crash, with the Air Force working alongside other military services and emergency response agencies. The reported number aboard changed after the crash. Keyamo initially said 32 people were on the aircraft, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members. The Air Force later reported 25 people, with 20 passengers and five crew.