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The aircraft was on a routine mission to Nigeria’s economic hub
of Lagos when it crashed in the riverside town of Igbokoda in
Ondo state, Nigeria’s Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said in a
statement.
The Nigerian Air Force identified the aircraft as an ATR-42, and
it was not immediately clear to what extent the aircraft was
damaged.
“Search and rescue operations, in coordination with relevant
authorities and emergency response agencies, are currently
ongoing,” said air force spokesperson Ehimen Ejodame.
Locals told The Associated Press the aircraft crashed near a
river and that part of it was sinking in the water.
“We heard something like a thunder strike,” said Akinbulejo
Pius, a witness. “The plane cleared some trees. We found some
body parts, some clothes and shoes.”
Keyamo said the aircraft first disappeared from radar at around
9 a.m. local time, and that it was found to have crashed close
to a naval base.
The Nigerian military has in the past used the ATR-42 for
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and for
transporting personnel and supplies.
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