The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has said 32 persons were on board the Nigeria Air Force aircraft that crashed in Ondo on Monday.

In a statement, Keyamo said preliminary information suggests 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board.

"I regret to inform the general public that Air Traffic Controllers have informed me of the disappearance of a military aircraft with tail number NGR 931, enroute Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours earlier today. All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive.

"Subsequently, information however confirmed that the military aircraft has crashed close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The wreckage has been located and search and rescue operations are ongoing," he said.

The minister pointed out that the control and regulation of military aircraft are completely outside the authority of the Ministry of Aviation and Civil Aviation Authority.

He, however, stated that he had since spoken to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and pledged total cooperation and assistance in the search and rescue efforts ongoing.

"Further information on this unfortunate incident will be made available subsequently," Keyamo said.

ASA