Nigeria mourns 32 after military plane crashes into swamp

President Bola Tinubu declared a three‑day period of national mourning after an ATR‑42 military aircraft crashed in Ondo State, killing 32 people.

The aircraft was on a routine flight from Benin City to Lagos when it collided with a swamp near a naval base early Monday morning. Wreckage was found submerged, with clothing, shoes and smoke seen rising from the water.

Tinubu offered his deepest condolences for the 25 passengers and seven crew members and ordered a thorough investigation. He also directed that national flags fly at half‑mast across the country.

Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo confirmed the disappearance of the aircraft with tail number NGR 931 at 09:13 UTC, and said rescue efforts were underway. The aircraft, an ATR‑42, normally carries 30–50 people.

The crash marks one of Nigeria’s deadliest air disasters in recent years. Similar incidents in 2021 claimed the lives of senior commanders, prompting fears over the state of the country’s aviation safety.