A Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 crashed Monday in southwestern Nigeria, killing all 32 people aboard. The aircraft was flying from Benin City to Lagos on what officials described as a routine mission when air traffic controllers lost contact at 0813 GMT.
There were 25 passengers, along with seven crew members, aboard the ATR-42. Wreckage was later disovered by search-and-rescue personnel near Igbokoda in Ondo State. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu confirmed there were no survivors.
Investigation Ordered
“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation,” Tinubu said in a statement. “Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
The Nigerian Air Force has been directed to investigate the accident. Officials have not yet released further information about the circumstances leading up to the loss of contact or the accident that followed. The government also declared three days of national mourning and ordered flags flown at half-staff.
ATR Accident History
The ATR family is widely used in regional passenger and military transport operations. Another 2022 ATR accident involving a Precision Air ATR-42 in Tanzania killed 19 people after the aircraft crashed into Lake Victoria near Bukoba Airport.
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