A small commuter plane, thought to be a private jet and said to belong to Associated Airlines crashed near the domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed airport.
The plane was carrying over 20 people and was conveying the body of the late former governor of Ondo State to Akure for final funeral rites.
The plane was said to have crashed around 9.20am immediately after take-off into the compound of a private firm, around the MMIA access gate.
The passengers are thought to be relations of the late governor.
Rescue operations are still ongoing according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Authority (FAAN).
“We confirm today the crash of an Embraer 120 (plane) belonging to Associated airlines,” the statement read.
“The rescue operation commenced immediately with all the relevant agencies moving enmasse to the crash site,” FAAN said.
“We call on the public to shun unconfirmed reports by avoiding speculation that could mar investigations into the crash,” FAAN said.