Nigeria Air Force Plane Crashes in Ondo, Killing All 32 on Board

New Delhi: A Nigerian military aircraft crashed in the southwestern state of Ondo on Monday while flying from Benin City to Lagos, killing all 32 people on board, including 25 passengers and seven crew members.

The Air Force ATR-42 aircraft was reportedly carrying out a routine mission when contact with air traffic controllers was lost, according to Nigeria’s Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo.

The crash site was later located near the coastal town of Igbokoda, where search and rescue teams were deployed. Local residents gathered near the wreckage, with one eyewitness saying there appeared to be no survivors.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and confirmed that there were no survivors. He also extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

The crash is being described as one of Nigeria’s deadliest aviation accidents in recent years.