Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation, says 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard the military aircraft that crashed in Ondo state.
CKN NEWS had reported that the aircraft crashed close to the naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo on Monday.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) confirmed ownership of the plane, saying it was en route to Lagos from Benin, the Edo state capital.
The aviation minister, in a statement posted on X, said he was informed of the disappearance of the aircraft by air traffic controllers.
“All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive,” Keyamo said.
“Subsequently, information however confirmed that the military aircraft has crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The wreckage has been located and search and rescue operations are ongoing.
“Preliminary information suggests that there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board.
“Whilst the control and regulation of military aircraft are completely outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation, and Civil Aviation Authority, I have just spoken to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke and pledged our total cooperation and assistance in the search and rescue efforts ongoing.”
The minister added that further information will be provided when available.
The crash caused panic among residents of the coastal community on Monday morning.
The aircraft is used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) as well as air maritime operations.