Tragedy in Nigeria: 32 Killed When Military Plane Crashes Near Ondo Swamp

President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning after a military aircraft crashed in southern Ondo State, killing 32 people.

The aircraft, an ATR‑42 transport, was on a routine flight from Benin City to Lagos when it crashed near a naval base close to a swampy area in Igbokoda, Ondo State, at 0913 hours local time.

Local residents reported seeing smoke rising and remnants of the wreckage in the marshlands, and clothes and shoes were found at the scene. Search and rescue teams are still conducting operations, while officials are awaiting confirmation of the victims’ identities.

Tinubu offered his deepest condolences for the 25 passengers and seven crew members on board and ordered a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of the crash and prevent future incidents.

He also ordered national flags to be flown at half‑mast across the country as a mark of respect for the victims. "This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation," Tinubu said, adding that their sacrifice would never be forgotten.

The Nigerian Air Force, which plays a key role in national security operations against armed groups, has taken immediate steps to launch an investigation under the direction of the Defence Ministry. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo confirmed the disappearance of the tail‑number NGR 931 aircraft and noted that radio attempts to locate it were unsuccessful.

According to the aircraft’s manufacturer, the ATR‑42 can carry between 30 and 50 passengers, and the crash is considered one of the deadliest air disasters in Nigeria in recent years. Earlier incidents include the 2021 crash that killed Army Chief Lt‑Gen Ibrahim Attahiru and a 2020 crash that claimed seven lives in Abuja.