Several people were feared dead on Monday after a helicopter crashed in a swampy area of Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The incident reportedly occurred on the morning of October 5, 2026, with residents said to have heard a loud sound from the direction of the crash site.
A source in the area said the location was difficult to access because the crash occurred within a creek, making it difficult for residents to immediately reach the scene.
According to the source, police and military personnel later arrived in the area to commence rescue operations.
He said some occupants of the helicopter were feared to have died in the crash, although the exact number of casualties had yet to be established as of the time of filing this report.
“It happened this morning. We heard a very loud sound in the area where the incident occurred, but we could not get there because the place is a swampy area inside the creek. We are just looking at it from afar,” the source said.
“But the police and the military later came around for rescue. The occupants of the helicopter might have died there.”
Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the command had commenced an investigation into the crash.
In a statement, Jimoh said, “The Ondo State Police Command confirms the reported aircraft crash in the Igbokoda axis of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday, October 5, 2026.
“Details surrounding the incident are still emerging, as efforts to establish the full circumstances continue.”
The police spokesperson urged residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information.
He assured the public that further credible information would be released as soon as it becomes available.