FULL LIST: 5 Military, Civilian Aircraft Accidents, Incidents In Nigeria In 2026

Nigeria has recorded at least five reported aircraft crashes, accidents and other aviation incidents in 2026.

This, however, involved military and civilian aircraft, including a fatal Nigerian Air Force (NAF) crash in Ondo State that claimed 25 lives.

The incidents, which occurred between February and October, involved an in-flight engine anomaly, an emergency landing on a roadway, a runway overrun and two military aircraft occurrences.

While the crash involving the NAF ATR-42 aircraft in Ondo State resulted in the deaths of all 25 people on board, the reported civilian aviation incidents did not result in fatalities.

Here are five aircraft crashes, accidents and incidents reported in Nigeria in 2026, separated into military and non-military occurrences.

Military Aircraft Incidents

1. NAF ATR-42 Crashes In Ondo, Killing 25

A Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, designated NAF 931, crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on October 5, killing all 25 people on board.

The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it. The wreckage was subsequently located near a naval facility in Igbokoda, in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The NAF later confirmed that the aircraft had five crew members and 20 passengers on board, correcting earlier reports that put the number of occupants at 32.

No survivors were reported.

President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning and ordered an investigation into the crash. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, subsequently visited the crash site as recovery and investigative operations continued.

The cause of the crash had not been established as of October 9, while the NAF cautioned against speculation as investigators worked to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

2. NAF Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing in Benue

A Nigerian Air Force helicopter reportedly made an emergency landing on farmland in Benue State on October 7 after developing a technical fault.

The incident occurred in the Makurdi area, with reports indicating that the aircraft landed on farmland around the Utur Tse-Igboji community.

The occupants reportedly escaped without injuries.

The incident came two days after the fatal NAF ATR-42 crash in Ondo State, placing military aviation safety under renewed public scrutiny.

However, the precise circumstances surrounding the helicopter’s emergency landing and the technical fault involved require confirmation from an official incident report.

Non-military aircraft incidents

3. Arik Air Aircraft Diverts After Engine Anomaly

An Arik Air Boeing 737-700 aircraft, with registration number 5N-MJF, experienced an engine anomaly on February 11 while operating a scheduled flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt.

According to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the crew detected abnormal indications from one of the aircraft’s engines during the cruise phase of the flight.

The pilots followed emergency procedures, shut down the affected engine and diverted the aircraft to Benin Airport in Edo State.

The aircraft landed safely, and all passengers and crew members disembarked without injuries.

The NSIB subsequently commenced an investigation into the serious incident to determine the sequence of events and any contributing factors.

The occurrence did not result in a crash, but it was classified as a serious incident because of the engine malfunction and the precautionary actions required to bring the aircraft to safety.

4. Private Jet Lands On Roadway Near Asaba

A privately operated Bombardier Challenger CL-601 aircraft, registered as N989BC and operated by VMO Aero Limited, landed on a roadway under construction near Asaba, Delta State, on June 10.

Reports said the aircraft made the landing after a missed approach in the area of Asaba Airport.

The aircraft sustained damage to its left nose-wheel assembly, but no injuries were reported among those on board.

The NSIB launched an investigation into the occurrence, while the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) announced regulatory action against the operator.

The incident raised questions about the circumstances that led to the aircraft landing on a roadway rather than at an airport.

Investigators were expected to examine the flight’s operational circumstances and other relevant evidence to determine what led to the occurrence.

5. Enugu Air Aircraft Overruns Runway in Benin

An Embraer ERJ 170-100LR aircraft operated by Enugu Air overran the runway at Oba Akenzua II Airport in Benin City, Edo State, on July 23.

The aircraft, registered as 5N-ENR, was operating scheduled flight ENU4264 from Lagos when it landed on Runway 05 and continued beyond the runway’s end into an unpaved area.

According to the NSIB’s preliminary investigation report released on August 21, the aircraft struck approach-lighting installations and two fixed concrete structures associated with a decommissioned localiser installation.

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All 68 people on board, comprising 63 passengers and five crew members, were evacuated using emergency escape slides. No injuries were reported.

The NSIB’s preliminary findings identified concerns relating to navigational aids, weather information and an obstruction affecting the control tower’s view of part of the runway.

The bureau issued safety recommendations to the NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency as its investigation continued.

The occurrence was classified as an accident, although everyone on board survived.