Lucky Aiyedatiwa, governor of Ondo State, has directed state agencies to support ongoing search and rescue operations following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft in Igbokoda, Ilaje LGA.
The aircraft, an ATR-42 with tail number NGR 931, crashed in a swampy area opposite the naval base in Igbokoda in the early hours of Monday.
Ehimen Ejodame, NAF director of public relations and information, said the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the incident occurred.
Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, said 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board the aircraft.
Authorities have yet to provide information on the condition of the passengers.
Aiyedatiwa expressed sympathy to the Chief of the Air Staff, the NAF and the families of the personnel and passengers on board.
The governor said he had been in contact with the leadership of the NAF, Maurice Oripelaye, chairman of Ilaje LGA, and security agencies at the scene.
He directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ministry of Health and relevant security agencies to mobilise logistical and human resources to support the NAF and other emergency agencies involved in the rescue operation.
Aiyedatiwa also ordered that the crash site be cordoned off and secured to facilitate rescue operations.
He urged residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm, cooperate with emergency responders and avoid spreading unverified information.
The state government said it would continue to monitor the situation and provide updates based on information from the air force.
