A #Nigerian military helicopter carrying 32 people crashed on Monday in southwestern #Nigeria, according to Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo.Â
The aircraft, which was operating a routine flight from Benin City to Lagos, carried 25 passengers and seven crew members. Air traffic controllers lost contact with the helicopter at approximately 08:13 GMT before it went down. Â
The wreckage was subsequently located near a naval base in the coastal town of Igbokoda, located in #OndoState. Â
“Search and rescue operations, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, are currently ongoing,” confirmed Nigerian Air Force spokesperson Ehimen Ejodame. Â
Minister Keyamo noted that although military aviation falls outside the regulatory scope of the Civil Aviation Authority, his ministry is providing full logistical and emergency support to the Nigerian Air Force during the recovery operation. Â
Authorities have not yet confirmed casualties or the precise cause of the crash. An official investigation into the incident is expected to follow once search operations conclude.