A Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft carrying 32 people, including 25 passengers and seven crew members, disappeared from radar shortly after taking off from Benin and crashed in a swampy area of Igbokoda, Ondo State. The aircraft was en route to Lagos. The incident occurred on October 6, 2026. Search-and-rescue efforts were ongoing, but authorities had not officially confirmed the condition of those on board at the time of the incident.
The Nigerian Air Force and other agencies continued search-and-rescue operations to locate the wreckage and determine the fate of those on board. The cause of the crash was not immediately known. The ATR-42 is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft commonly used for short-haul flights. The incident raised concerns about aviation safety in Nigeria.
In a separate development, the Dangote refinery stopped selling petrol to major marketers importing petroleum products, citing concerns over the blending of its fuel with imported grades. The refinery accused the marketers of blending its fuel with imported products, which led to the decision to halt sales. Some marketers rejected the move, describing it as an attempt to restrict fuel imports.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) responded to the Dangote refinery's decision, stating that the company was being selective about its customers. The development highlighted tensions between the Dangote refinery and fuel importers in Nigeria. The Dangote refinery is one of the largest refineries in Africa.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike stated that President Bola Tinubu's re-election was constantly on his mind as he campaigned for the President in Rivers State. Wike urged residents to set aside political sentiments and support Tinubu in 2027. He made the comments while speaking at town hall meetings in the state.
In Lagos, a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Kamoru Omokoye, was shot dead by suspected cultists at Abijo Bus Stop in the Ibeju-Lekki area. Police reported that the attackers fled in an unregistered Lexus RX 350 and that an investigation had commenced. The incident raised concerns about security in Lagos.
A newlywed pastor, Apostle Sam Adegoke of Elijah Generation Church in Akure, apologized for past sexual relationships and announced that he had stepped back from public ministry. In a statement, Adegoke said he was seeking spiritual, pastoral, and professional accountability while taking responsibility for his past conduct. The incident sparked a conversation about accountability in the clergy.
Key points
- A Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft carrying 32 people crashed in Ondo State.
- The Dangote refinery stopped selling petrol to major marketers importing petroleum products.
- FCT Minister Nyesom Wike stated that President Bola Tinubu's re-election was constantly on his mind.
