Ondo plane crash: Keyamo confirms 25 passengers, seven crew were on crashed military aircraft

Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo says 32 people were aboard the Nigerian military aircraft that crashed in Ondo State on Monday.

According to TheCable, Keyamo said the aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members when it went down near the naval base in the Igbokoda area of the state.

The Nigerian Air Force confirmed that the aircraft belonged to the service and said it was undertaking a routine mission when the incident occurred.

The plane was travelling from Lagos to Benin, the Edo State capital, before it crashed in the riverine Igbokoda area.

Earlier reports of the crash had raised concerns about possible casualties, although authorities had not provided details on the condition of those aboard at the time of the latest update.

Keyamo’s disclosure provides the first official figure for the number of occupants on the aircraft.

Authorities are expected to provide further information on casualties, rescue operations and circumstances surrounding the crash as investigations continue.