Ondo Air Crash Renews Concerns Over Safety of Nigeria’s Military Aircraft

The crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Ondo State has renewed concerns over the safety of military aviation in Nigeria, following a series of aircraft accidents recorded in recent years.

The aircraft, which was on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos, crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday, October 5, 2026. The incident resulted in the deaths of all 25 people on board, according to the Nigerian Air Force.

The latest crash adds to a record of military aviation incidents involving fighter jets, helicopters, training aircraft and transport planes.

Among the notable incidents was the May 2021 crash of a Nigerian Air Force King Air 350 aircraft in Kaduna, which killed 11 people, including the then Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru.

In February 2021, another King Air aircraft crashed while returning to Abuja after reporting an engine problem. Seven people aboard the aircraft died in the incident.

A Mi-171 helicopter also crashed in Niger State in August 2023 while on a casualty-evacuation mission, killing 11 people. Other military aircraft accidents involving training and operational flights have also been recorded.

The Ondo crash has now placed renewed attention on the condition, maintenance and operational safety of aircraft used by the Nigerian military.

The Defence Headquarters has announced an investigation into the latest incident to determine what caused the aircraft to crash, while recovery operations continue at the difficult swampy terrain where the wreckage was located.