List Of Major Military Aircraft Crashes That Shook Nigeria From 2018

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that an ATR-42 aircraft crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, killing all 25 people on board.

The latest military aviation disaster has raised fresh concerns over the safety of Nigerian Air Force operations, coming after a series of aircraft accidents involving military planes and helicopters in different parts of the country in recent years.

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According to the NAF, the aircraft was carrying 20 passengers and five crew members when it crashed during a routine mission from Benin to Lagos. The service said there were no survivors.

The cause of the crash has not been established, with investigations expected to determine what led to the aircraft going down near the naval facility in Igbokoda.

There was initially conflicting information about the number of people on board. The Minister of Aviation had earlier stated that 32 people were on the aircraft. The NAF subsequently clarified that the total number was 25, comprising 20 passengers and five crew members.

The Igbokoda incident adds to a series of NAF aircraft accidents recorded since 2018, some of which resulted in significant loss of lives while others ended with pilots and crew members surviving.

Other Major NAF Aircraft Accidents

December 6, 2025 — Alpha Jet, Niger State

An NAF Alpha Jet crashed near Karabonde in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State following an in-flight emergency during a post-inspection functional check flight.

Both pilots reportedly ejected safely before the aircraft crashed. The NAF subsequently constituted a Board of Inquiry to investigate the incident.

March 7, 2024 — Super Mushshak, Kaduna

A Super Mushshak trainer aircraft was involved in a minor accident about 3.5 nautical miles from the Kaduna Military Airfield while returning from a routine training flight.

Both pilots escaped unhurt, while the Chief of the Air Staff ordered an investigation into the incident.

December 1, 2023 — Mi-35P Helicopter, Port Harcourt

An NAF Mi-35P helicopter crashed shortly after taking off for an operation against economic saboteurs in Rivers State.

All five crew members survived the crash, although they reportedly sustained minor injuries and were taken for medical attention.

August 14, 2023 — Mi-171E Helicopter, Niger State

An NAF Mi-171E helicopter crashed near Chukuba Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State while conducting a casualty-evacuation mission.

The aircraft had departed Zungeru Primary School for Kaduna when it went down. Eleven people were killed, while the NAF commenced rescue operations and a preliminary investigation.

July 2023 — FT-7NI Trainer, Makurdi

An FT-7NI trainer aircraft crashed during a routine training flight in Makurdi, Benue State.

The two pilots survived and were taken to an NAF medical facility for treatment.

April 19, 2022 — Super Mushshak, Kaduna

Two NAF pilots were killed when a Super Mushshak training aircraft crashed at the NAF Base in Kaduna.

The victims were Flight Lieutenant Abubakar Muhammed Alkali and Flight Lieutenant Elijah Haruna Karatu.

The Chief of the Air Staff subsequently constituted an Accident Investigation Board to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.

July 18, 2021 — Alpha Jet, Zamfara

An Alpha Jet crashed in Zamfara State after reportedly coming under intense enemy fire while returning from an air interdiction mission between Zamfara and Kaduna states.

The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo, successfully ejected from the aircraft and survived.

May 21, 2021 — King Air 350i, Kaduna

One of the most prominent NAF aircraft crashes in recent years occurred near Kaduna Civil Airport when a King Air 350 aircraft crashed.

All 11 people on board were killed, including the then Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru.

The crash was subsequently investigated by the Nigerian Air Force and the Accident Investigation Bureau.

March 31, 2021 — Alpha Jet, Northeast Nigeria

An Alpha Jet disappeared from radar during an operational mission in the Northeast.

The NAF later said intelligence indicated that the aircraft might have crashed. The two pilots, Flight Lieutenant John Abolarinwa and Flight Lieutenant Ebiakpo Chapele, were not found and were presumed killed.

February 21, 2021 — King Air B350i, Abuja

A King Air B350i crashed while returning to Abuja after reporting an engine failure while travelling towards Minna.

The aircraft had been scheduled for surveillance operations in the area. All seven personnel on board were killed.

The NAF subsequently established an investigative panel to determine the cause of the crash.

January 2, 2019 — Mi-35M Helicopter, Damasak

An NAF Mi-35M helicopter crashed during combat operations while providing close air support to troops of 145 Battalion in Damasak, Borno State.

All five crew members on board were killed.

September 28, 2018 — Two F-7NI Fighter Jets, Abuja

Two NAF F-7NI fighter jets collided during rehearsals for Nigeria’s 58th Independence Anniversary celebrations in Abuja.

One of the pilots, Squadron Leader Bello Mohammed Baba-Ari, was killed, while the other pilots ejected from their aircraft and survived.

The succession of incidents has kept military aviation safety under public scrutiny, particularly because NAF aircraft are frequently deployed for combat, surveillance, training, logistics and humanitarian missions across challenging operational environments.

However, the circumstances surrounding each incident are different, and several of the crashes involved aircraft operating under combat or training conditions. The cause of the Igbokoda ATR-42 crash remains subject to investigation, and no conclusion should be drawn until the relevant authorities complete their inquiries.

The latest tragedy is expected to prompt renewed attention to aircraft maintenance, operational safety, crew welfare and the overall condition of Nigeria’s military aviation fleet.