By Mercy Chibueze
IGBOKODA — Panic has gripped the coastal community of Igbokoda, the headquarters of the Ilaje Local Government Area in Ondo State, following the crash of a suspected military helicopter on Monday morning.
The aircraft reportedly plunged into a swampy terrain directly opposite the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB). Local residents reported hearing a massive sound, initially mistaken for thunder during a downpour, before witnessing smoke billowing from the thick mangrove vegetation.
The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that security agencies are actively gathering information and mobilizing resources to manage the scene. Speaking to Tripod Times reporter on the development, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed that the command is fully aware of the reported crash and is working closely with top officials to establish the core facts.
“I am currently in a briefing with the Commissioner of Police regarding the incident,” Jimoh said. “We are actively monitoring the emerging details from the site. I will provide a comprehensive update as soon as the full situation becomes clear.”
According to local accounts, a massive blast startled residents during a heavy downpour. Many initially mistook the loud noise for thunder before discovering smoke rising from a swampy terrain located opposite a local naval installation.
“We heard a very loud sound in the area where the incident occurred,” a resident stated. “The aircraft appears to have gone down inside the creek, making the site difficult to access immediately by foot.”
The Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Maurice Oripelaye, confirmed that debris and military gear were observed at the crash site. He added that the exact number of individuals on board and their conditions could not be immediately determined because the chopper was extensively damaged by fire.
Personnel from the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Igbokoda have been deployed to the area alongside other emergency responders to conduct search and rescue operations. Further details regarding the ownership of the helicopter, its origin, and the exact number of casualties remain sketchy as rescue teams navigate the challenging wetland terrain.
