Nigeria recorded at least 10 military aircraft crashes between 2021 and October 2026, resulting in at least 68 confirmed and presumed deaths, an analysis of military aviation incidents has shown.
Incidents involved fighter jets, helicopters, training aircraft, transport aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles, and occurred during combat operations, training exercises, routine missions, casualty evacuation, and post-maintenance checks.
The latest incident occurred on Monday when a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, registration number NAF 931, crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State.
The Nigerian Air Force subsequently confirmed that all 25 people on board, comprising 20 passengers and five crew members, died in the crash.
The accident has renewed concerns over the safety of Nigeria’s military aviation fleet, coming after a series of aircraft losses involving the NAF in recent years.
The latest crash has also intensified calls by aviation stakeholders for a comprehensive review of military aviation safety systems, including aircraft maintenance, airworthiness standards, operational procedures, safety oversight and accident investigation.