In brief
A military ATR‑42 crashed into a swamp near Ondo State’s naval base, killing 32 personnel and prompting president Bola Tinubu to declare three days of national mourning. The flight was en route from Benin City to Lagos when it went down, and wreckage and smoke were reported by local residents. Tinubu ordered a full investigation and the flying of national flags at half‑mast, while Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo confirmed distress attempts failed. The incident adds to a series of recent military aviation accidents and has spurred debate over aviation safety, maintenance and the readiness of Nigeria’s armed forces.
President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning after a military aircraft crashed in southern Ondo State, killing 32 people.
The ATR‑42 plane, reportedly on a routine flight from Benin City to Lagos, plunged into a swamp near a naval base, where wreckage surfaced amid smoke.
Authorities confirmed 25 passengers and seven crew died, most of whom were military personnel. Tinubu ordered the Air Force to launch a full investigation and flew national flags at half‑mast.
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo noted that radio distress attempts failed and rescue operations are ongoing. The crash adds to a series of military aviation incidents in recent years, including a 2021 accident that killed the army chief.
The incident has sparked debate over aviation safety, air force training, and the government's readiness to address systemic issues within the armed forces.
Local residents reported finding clothes and shoes at the scene, and smoke rising was visible from miles away, underscoring challenges in monitoring aged aircraft and ensuring proper maintenance protocols.
