The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has pledged the Federal Government’s support for ongoing efforts to locate and rescue victims of a military aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

The aircraft, identified by its tail number as NGR 931, crashed near a naval facility in the Igbokoda area on Monday while travelling from Benin to Lagos.

According to The Sun, Keyamo said the aircraft was initially reported missing after attempts to establish radio contact with it failed. He added that the wreckage was subsequently located, with search and rescue teams deployed to the scene.

Preliminary information indicated that 32 people were aboard the aircraft, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members. However, further details about the condition of those on board were not immediately available.

The minister said he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and assured him of the aviation ministry’s cooperation in the rescue operation. He also noted that military aviation operations fall outside the regulatory authority of the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

Keyamo said further information on the crash would be released as efforts to respond to the incident continue.