A helicopter has crashed in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, with the identities and condition of those who may have been on board yet to be officially established.
The incident occurred on Monday morning in a swampy area near the Nigerian Navy facility in Igbokoda, causing concern among residents of the coastal community.
Ilaje Local Government Chairman, Maurice Oripelaye, confirmed the crash and said the aircraft was severely damaged in the incident. He added that military equipment was reportedly found at the scene, although the number of people aboard could not immediately be determined.
The circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear, including the identity of the helicopter, its operator, where it was coming from and its intended destination.
The Ondo State Police Command also confirmed that an aircraft had crashed in the Igbokoda axis. Police spokesperson DSP Abayomi Jimoh said investigations were ongoing to establish the full details of the incident and urged residents to avoid spreading unverified information.
Reports from the area indicated that authorities moved to secure the crash site and assess the wreckage as efforts continued to establish whether there were survivors and determine the circumstances of the crash.
Although some reports described the aircraft as a suspected military helicopter, its identity had not been officially confirmed at the time of reporting.
The number and identities of possible occupants also remained unknown, with authorities expected to provide further information as assessment and investigations continue.
