History: The first-ever plane crash in Nigeria

According to investigations, the very first air crash in Nigeria occurred at Igbo Ilapa, now known as Igbo Aeroplane in Ikogosi in Ekiti-West Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
The cargo plane, which crash landed in the community, known for its warm and cold spring water, was said to be carrying war ammunition during the Second World War. The number of people on board could not be ascertained.

At about 8:15 pm on Sunday 12 April, 1942, a heavy deafening sound was heard from the Ilapa hill accompanied by a thick wild fire and smoke. It was a day pandemonium gripped the town. The people were terrified. Nobody was actually sure of what it was. This was more so because loud bangs of explosion continued to reverberate from the hill till dawn.

The following day, the people gathered to investigate what actually happened on the Ilapa hill top which was spearheaded by one Sergeant Adeleke, accompanied by some elders, hunters and the brave ones. What happened was very obvious from afar. Alas, it was a replica of the Biblical burning but this time, the fire was consuming the bush. The inferno raging on the hill was so severe that they could not move closer.

The investigating party descended to break the devastating news to the whole town which had gathered at the palace. They narrated what they saw to the whole town, however noting that the pilot manipulated the cargo up to the hill to prevent it from landing in the town. They stated that if the cargo had fallen within the town, it would have been the end of Ikogosi; with the destruction of many houses and people including all the animals, taking into cognizance that the houses were made of thatch roof.

For about five years after this incidence, nothing grew on the top of the hill which is now being referred to as Igbo Baalu (‘Igbo’ being forest and ‘Baalu’ being aeroplane). The thick forest was devastated and remained barren following the incidence of the crash. This was a rich forest hitherto populated by monkeys, antelopes, Baboons, water hog, buffaloes and other exotic fauna.

Source: Enroute Nigeria