Tragedy in Ondo as helicopter crashes into a creek

A helicopter crashed into a creek in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area in Ondo State, on Monday morning, with several occupants feared dead.

The crash happened in the early hours of Monday, October 5, 2026, in a swampy area near the Igbokoda axis, as residents reported hearing a heavy explosion before seeing thick smoke rising from the creeks.

Community members could not reach the crash site immediately, because the helicopter went down deep inside swampy terrain. Eyewitnesses added that the aircraft was severely burnt upon impact, making it difficult to determine how many people were on board.

“It happened this morning…We heard a very loud sound in the area, but we could not get there because the place is a swampy area inside the creek. We were just looking at it from afar until police and military people came around for rescue”, a resident said.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, appealed for calm as emergency teams assessed the situation.

“The Ondo State Police Command confirms the reported aircraft crash in the Igbokoda axis of Ilaje Local Government Area on Monday, 5th October 2026…Details surrounding the incident are still emerging as efforts to establish the full circumstances continue. We urge the public to remain calm and refrain from circulating unverified information”, Jimoh.

According to reports, emergency teams and security forces are on the site to secure the crash area and establish the exact number of casualties.