Many Feared Dead As Military Helicopter Crashes In Ondo
Many people are feared dead after a military aircraft with tail number NGR 931, en route to Lagos from Benin, crashed in the Igbokoda axis of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday.
The Ondo State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, who confirmed the incident to journalists in Akure, said details surrounding the crash were still emerging as efforts continued to establish the full circumstances.
Jimoh said: “The Command urges members of the public, particularly residents of Igbokoda and adjoining communities, to remain calm and refrain from circulating unverified information.”
He added that the public would be duly informed as soon as further credible information became available.
In a separate statement, the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, said all attempts to establish radio contact with the aircraft had proved abortive.
According to him, the wreckage had been located, while search and rescue operations were ongoing.
Preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board.
“Whilst the control and regulation of military aircraft are completely outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation and the 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 added.
The identity of the helicopter and the persons on board had yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.
