A Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 crashed near a naval base in Igbokoda, in southern Nigeria’s Ondo state, on Oct. 5, 2026, and officials say there were no survivors.
The Air Force said in a statement on Tuesday that the aircraft was carrying 20 passengers and five crew members on a routine mission to Lagos, the Associated Press reported. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo had earlier said 32 people were aboard, and officials have not explained the difference.
The cause of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 crash is not yet known, and the Air Force is expected to lead the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 crash investigation.
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What Happened in the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 Crash
The aircraft disappeared from radar and was later found to have crashed close to a naval base in the riverside town of Igbokoda, the AP reported. The Nigerian Air Force said it began a search-and-rescue operation after the accident on Oct. 5, according to SaharaReporters.
The Air Force said the plane was on a routine flight from Benin City to Lagos, SaharaReporters reported. The Nigerian presidency later confirmed there were no survivors, according to Digger News. The extent of the damage was unclear on Tuesday, the AP said.
Why the Headcount Differs
Keyamo said earlier that 32 people were on the aircraft, and several outlets reported 32 deaths, some citing unnamed sources. The Air Force’s later statement put the total at 25, made up of 20 passengers and five crew. The AP said officials did not immediately explain the gap between the two figures.
This article uses the Air Force’s figure of 25 as the latest official count and notes the earlier number. TAD will update it if the Air Force or the government clarifies.
The Aircraft and the Investigation
The ATR-42 is a twin-engine turboprop that the Nigerian military often uses for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and for moving personnel and supplies, the AP reported. Digger News said the aircraft was an ATR-42-500MP configured mainly for maritime patrol.
President Bola Tinubu directed the Air Force to start a thorough investigation to prevent future accidents, according to Digger News. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau said that because the aircraft was military-owned, responsibility for the investigation rests with the Air Force, the same report said.
FAQ: Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 Crash
Were there survivors?
No. Officials, including the Nigerian presidency, said no one on board survived.
How many people were on board?
The Air Force said 25, made up of 20 passengers and five crew. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo had earlier said 32, and officials have not explained the difference.
What caused the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 crash?
The cause is not yet known. The Nigerian Air Force is expected to investigate.
Looking Ahead
Watch for an explanation of the difference in headcount, any release of the victims’ names, and the Air Force’s findings on the cause of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 crash. Any update on whether the Safety Investigation Bureau will take part would also matter.
Sources
- ABC News (AP) — Nigerian Air Force says plane carrying 25 crashed with no survivors
- The Daily Pioneer (AP) — No survivors after Nigerian Air Force plane carrying 25 crashes in Ondo
- SaharaReporters — All 32 passengers, crew members killed in military aircraft crash in Ondo, sources say
- Digger News — All 32 feared dead as NAF ATR-42 crashes in Ondo, Tinubu orders probe
