Plane crashes in Nigeria killing all 25 people on board

A plane crash in Nigeria killed all 25 on board, the country’s air force said.

The Nigerian Air Force confirmed the aircraft crashed in the southern Ondo state on Monday.

The ATR-42 aircraft crashed while carrying 20 passengers and five crew members on a routine mission to its economic hub, Lagos, authorities added.

It vanished from radar and was later found to have crashed close to a naval base in the riverside town of Igbokoda.

Festus Keyamo, Nigeria's aviation minister, previously said the jet was carrying 32 people but officials did not clarify the difference between the two accounts.

Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Nigerian chief of the air staff, described the accident as a "deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation".

President Bola Tinubu declared three days of mourning and directed flags to be flown at half-mast throughout the country to mourn the victims.

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Tinubu said: "I have directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences."

The extent of the damage and cause of the accident remains unclear.

The ATR-42 is often used by the nation's military for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and for transporting personnel and supplies.

Local residents said the plane crashed near a river and was partially sinking in the water.

In videos shared online that appeared to be from the accident scene, it showed people gathered by a river trying to reach the area.

One witness, Akinbulejo Pius, said "we heard something like a thunder strike" and said the plane "cleared some trees" before crashing".

(c) Sky News 2026: Plane crashes in Nigeria killing all 25 people on board