Oct 06, Kathmandu - Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the death of 32 people on board a military plane that crashed in the southwestern state of Ondo on Monday.

According to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, the military plane carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members crashed near the naval base in the Igbokada community on the banks of the river in Ondo state.

In a separate statement, President Tinubu said it was a very sad moment for the armed forces and the entire nation.

He said the sacrifices of the air force members who lost their lives in the crash would never be forgotten.

According to the Nigerian Air Force, the aircraft, initially believed to be a helicopter, was confirmed to be a twin-engine turboprop aircraft.

The plane crashed while on a routine flight from Benin City in southern Nigeria to Lagos.

President Tinubu commended the air force for its prompt search and rescue operations following the crash.