Thirty-two people are feared dead following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The aircraft, an ATR-42, was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members when it crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda while on a routine flight from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos.

Sources familiar with the incident told SaharaReporters that all 32 people on board were believed to have died in the crash.

“Thirty-two people died in the plane crash that occurred in Ondo State,” one of the sources said.

However, authorities had not officially confirmed the number of fatalities as of the time of filing this report.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had earlier confirmed that 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard the aircraft.

Keyamo said preliminary information indicated that the military aircraft, with registration number NGR 931, was travelling from Benin to Lagos when it disappeared from radar.

According to the minister, Air Traffic Controllers lost contact with the aircraft at about 9:13am.

He later disclosed that further information confirmed the aircraft had crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area.

“The wreckage has been located and search and rescue operations are ongoing,” Keyamo said.

The minister also clarified that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) do not have regulatory authority over military aircraft.

He said he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and assured him of the ministry’s full cooperation and support for the ongoing search and rescue operation.

“Whilst the control and regulation of military aircraft are completely outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation and Civil Aviation Authority, I have just spoken to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged our total cooperation and assistance in the search and rescue efforts ongoing,” Keyamo said.

He added that further details would be released as authorities continue efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning in honour of Nigerian Air Force personnel who lost their lives in a military aircraft crash on Monday, October 5.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The President also directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the country throughout the mourning period as a mark of respect for the fallen officers.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Tinubu had earlier expressed deep sorrow over the crash involving a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft near a naval base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The aircraft, which was reportedly carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, was said to be on a routine flight from Benin to Lagos when the incident occurred.

Describing the crash as a painful moment for the military and the nation, Tinubu commended the sacrifices made by members of the Nigerian Air Force in protecting the country.

“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation. Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” the President said in a condolence message to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and other officers and personnel of the Nigerian Air Force.

Tinubu disclosed that the Chief of Air Staff had briefed him on the incident and directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the crash.

“I have directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences,” he said.

The President also commended the Nigerian Air Force for promptly activating search and rescue efforts following the accident.

According to the statement, the Air Force will release the names of the deceased personnel after their families have been duly notified.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has questioned whether the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has now positioned himself as an advocate of anti-corruption.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Wike made the remark on Monday while reacting to comments attributed to Atiku, in which the former Vice President reportedly urged Nigerians to accept money offered to them by the ruling party during elections.

Speaking during town hall meetings with the Rumueme and Apara kingdoms in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Wike described Atiku’s position as an attempt to encourage corrupt practices.

The FCT minister also criticised the Atiku-Amaechi ticket, alleging that both Atiku and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, have corruption-related issues.

Wike further claimed that the duo would face difficulties securing the constitutionally required 25 per cent of votes in Rivers State.

“When I saw Atiku on television yesterday, asking Nigerians to take any money given to them by people from the party in power, that it will be stolen money, I said, haa, Atiku is now an apostle of anti-corruption?” Wike said.

He added, “The same Atiku that his boss described as corrupt and that one of his major regrets is making him (Atiku) his Vice President is talking.”

Wike said his major political priority at the moment was ensuring President Bola Tinubu secures re-election in the 2027 presidential election.

He also appealed to Rivers residents to put aside political differences and support Tinubu, citing what he described as the administration’s achievements and appointments involving people from the state.

“Each day I sleep, I am thinking about the president’s reelection. When I am eating, I think about the president’s reelection. Everything I am doing now is about the president’s reelection,” he said.

Wike further expressed confidence in Tinubu’s chances in 2027, saying the president’s re-election campaign would be easier than the 2023 presidential contest.

“I know the reelection of Tinubu in 2027 will be easier than that of 2023. We should appreciate Tinubu and ensure massive votes for him. We can do it,” he said.

The FCT minister urged his supporters to remain calm and leave the outcome of the election to God.

“What will be, will be. You don’t need to kill yourself. Anything that God said would be, it would be,” Wike added.