The recent military aircraft crash has renewed concerns over the safety of Nigeria’s military aviation fleet, with calls for a comprehensive review of aircraft maintenance, airworthiness standards, operational procedures and safety oversight.
Aviation analyst and member of the Aviation Round Table, Olumide Ohunayo, says the frequency of military aircraft crashes requires the Air Force to urgently review its safety systems.
Nigeria has recorded at least 10 military aircraft crashes between 2021 and October 2026, resulting in at least 68 confirmed and presumed deaths.
The incidents involved fighter jets, helicopters, training and transport aircraft, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles, during combat operations, training and routine missions.
The latest crash occurred on Monday when a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The aircraft was flying from Benin City to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13 a.m.
The Nigerian Air Force confirmed that all 25 people on board, comprising 20 passengers and five crew members, died in the crash.
