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Aircraft goes down in swampy creek area of Igbokoda, triggering joint military and security rescue operations.
Several occupants are feared dead after a military helicopter crashed and caught fire on Monday, October 5, 2026, in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The ill-fated aircraft went down during the morning hours in a swampy creek terrain along the riverine axis, causing widespread panic among local residents who reported hearing a loud explosion upon impact.
Rescue Operations underway in Swampy Terrain
Local eyewitnesses and community sources reported seeing thick smoke rising from the difficult-to-reach marshlands, noting that the helicopter was burnt to rubble upon impact.
Security forces including personnel from the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), and military units quickly mobilized and deployed to the scene to initiate emergency search and rescue operations.
Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Maurice Oripelaye, confirmed the crash after visiting the vicinity, noting that military equipment was recovered around the site.
“We have confirmed that a helicopter crashed in the area, but we cannot ascertain the exact number of people on board yet,” Oripelaye stated. “Military gear was found at the scene, but the helicopter had burnt to rubble.”
Police Urge Calm as Authorities Investigate Cause
Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Command urged members of the public, particularly residents of Igbokoda and neighboring coastal communities, to remain calm while security agencies assess the crash site.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, stated that details surrounding the cause of the accident, the exact flight route, and the final casualty count remain sketchy due to the difficult swampy terrain.
“The Ondo State Police Command confirms the reported aircraft crash in the Igbokoda axis of Ilaje Local Government Area on Monday,” DSP Jimoh stated. “Details surrounding the incident are still emerging, as efforts to establish the full circumstances continue. We urge the public to refrain from circulating unverified information.”
Ministry of Aviation officials and military authorities are working in coordination to establish the flight manifest and confirm the total number of crew members and passengers on board as search efforts continue.
