Nigerian President Bola Tinubu expressed deep grief over the tragedy in an official statement, confirming that he was briefed by the Chief of Air Staff and has ordered an immediate, comprehensive investigation to ascertain the cause of the disaster and prevent future occurrences. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo stated that the Air Force ATR-42 aircraft was conducting a routine flight from Benin City to Lagos when air traffic control lost contact with the vessel at 8:13 AM local time on Monday (October 5, 2026). Wreckage was subsequently located near a naval station close to the coastal town of Igbokoda, where search and rescue units were deployed. Local witnesses near the crash site reported hearing an explosion-like sound before finding debris and submerged aircraft parts along a nearby river. Aviation authorities noted that the incident marks one of the country's most severe military aviation disasters in recent years.