Nigeria mourns as 32 killed in military plane crash

Remnants of a Nigerian military plane that crashed while carrying several passengers and crew members, in Ondo state

The plane crashed near a swampy area in Ondo state

President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning after an ATR‑42 military aircraft crashed in Ondo State, killing all 32 people on board.

The aircraft was flying from Benin City to Lagos when it went down near a naval base on Monday morning. Witnesses described a swampy area littered with debris.

Tinubu ordered a full investigation and placed national flags at half‑mast across the country. He said this was a painful moment for the Armed Forces and for the nation.

Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo confirmed the disappearance of the plane with tail number NGR 931 at 09:13 hrs and that search and rescue efforts are underway.

The crash is among the deadliest air disasters in Nigeria in recent years. A similar incident in 2021 killed the army chief and ten other officers in Kaduna.

The Nigerian Air Force continues to play a key role in counter‑insurgency operations across the country. The identities of the victims will be released after families are notified.