32 killed in Nigerian military plane crash, locals find body parts, clothes

At least 32 people were killed after a Nigerian military plane flying from Benin City to Lagos crashed on Monday. President Bola Tinubu, confirming that there were no survivors, directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately launch a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash.

The 32 victims comprised 25 passengers and seven crew members.

According to Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, the Air Force ATR-42 aircraft was on a routine mission when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at around 9 am on Monday.

The wreckage was later located near the coastal town of Igbokoda, close to a naval base, and search and rescue teams were deployed. The Air Force said it had launched an immediate search and rescue operation.

Giving an account of the crash site, locals told mirror.co.uk that the aircraft came down near a river, with part of the wreckage reportedly sinking into the water.

A resident said people heard a sound resembling a thunderclap before discovering debris at the site, including body parts, clothes and shoes.

The crash was one of the deadliest air disasters in Nigeria in recent years.- Ends