NAF ATR-42 Crash: Igbokoda Tragedy Adds To Nigeria’s Long List Of Military Air Accidents

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that an ATR-42 aircraft crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, killing all 25 people on board.

The aircraft, which was carrying 20 passengers and five crew members, was reportedly on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos when it crashed near the naval facility.

The development came after the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development initially reported that 32 people were on board the aircraft. The NAF later clarified that the number was 25, comprising 20 passengers and five crew members.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the cause of the crash has not been established as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Igbokoda crash has also drawn renewed attention to the Nigerian Air Force’s record of aviation accidents in recent years, with several incidents involving fighter jets, helicopters and training aircraft. While some of the accidents resulted in fatalities, others ended with the pilots and crew members surviving.

On December 6, 2025, an NAF Alpha Jet was involved in an accident near Karabonde in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State during a post-inspection functional check flight. The two pilots successfully ejected from the aircraft before it crashed. The NAF subsequently constituted a Board of Inquiry to investigate the incident.

On March 7, 2024, a Super Mushshak trainer aircraft was involved in a minor accident approximately 3.5 nautical miles from the Kaduna Military Airfield while returning from a routine training flight. Both pilots escaped unhurt, while an investigation was ordered by the Chief of Air Staff.

On December 1, 2023, an NAF Mi-35P helicopter crashed shortly after taking off for an operation against economic saboteurs in Rivers State. All five crew members survived, although they sustained minor injuries and were taken for medical treatment.

Another fatal incident occurred on August 14, 2023, when an NAF Mi-171E helicopter crashed near Chukuba Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State while carrying out a casualty-evacuation mission. Eleven people were killed in the crash.

In July 2023, an FT-7NI trainer aircraft crashed during a routine training flight in Makurdi, Benue State. The two pilots survived the incident and were taken to an NAF medical facility for treatment.

On April 19, 2022, two NAF pilots lost their lives when a Super Mushshak training aircraft crashed at the NAF Base in Kaduna. The victims were Flight Lieutenant Abubakar Muhammed Alkali and Flight Lieutenant Elijah Haruna Karatu. An Accident Investigation Board was subsequently constituted to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.

On July 18, 2021, an Alpha Jet crashed in Zamfara State after reportedly coming under enemy fire while returning from an air interdiction mission between Zamfara and Kaduna states. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo, successfully ejected and survived.

One of the most prominent military aviation accidents occurred on May 21, 2021, when a King Air 350i aircraft crashed near Kaduna Civil Airport, killing all 11 people on board. Among the victims was the then Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru. The crash was subsequently investigated by the Nigerian Air Force and the Accident Investigation Bureau.

On March 31, 2021, an NAF Alpha Jet disappeared from radar while conducting an operational mission in the Northeast. The Air Force later said intelligence indicated that the aircraft might have crashed. The two pilots, Flight Lieutenant John Abolarinwa and Flight Lieutenant Ebiakpo Chapele, were not found and were presumed killed.

On February 21, 2021, a King Air B350i aircraft crashed while returning to Abuja after reporting an engine failure while travelling towards Minna. The aircraft was scheduled to conduct surveillance operations in the area, and all seven personnel on board were killed. The NAF subsequently established an investigative panel to determine the cause of the accident.

Several other NAF aviation incidents were also recorded in 2019, involving both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters in different parts of the country. The incidents varied in circumstances and casualty figures and therefore represented separate aviation events rather than a single accident.

On January 2, 2019, an NAF Mi-35M helicopter crashed during combat operations while providing close air support to troops of 145 Battalion in Damasak, Borno State. All five crew members on board were killed.

Earlier, on September 28, 2018, two NAF F-7NI fighter jets collided during rehearsals for Nigeria’s 58th Independence anniversary celebrations in Abuja. Squadron Leader Bello Mohammed Baba-Ari was killed, while the other pilots successfully ejected and survived.

The latest crash in Igbokoda has therefore added to a series of military aviation incidents recorded by the Nigerian Air Force over the years. Authorities are expected to rely on the ongoing investigation to determine what caused the ATR-42 crash and establish the circumstances surrounding the loss of all 25 people on board.