By Zainab Bakare
Many people are feared dead after a military helicopter crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was reportedly travelling from Benin to Lagos when it crashed on Monday.
The Ondo State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the incident to journalists in Akure, saying details were still emerging as authorities worked to establish the full circumstances.
Jimoh urged residents of Igbokoda and surrounding communities to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information, adding that the public would be updated as credible information becomes available.
In a separate statement, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo says the wreckage had been located and search and rescue operations were ongoing.
Keyamo say all efforts to raise the aircraft on radio had proved unsuccessful.
Preliminary information indicates that 25 passengers and seven crew members may have been on board, although the identities of the aircraft and those on board had not been confirmed at the time of the report.
Keyamo says he had spoken with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged the Ministry of Aviation’s cooperation and assistance with the ongoing search and rescue operation.
