The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has expressed condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of personnel and passengers who died in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR 42 aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Aneke described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation, assuring the bereaved families of the Service’s full support during the difficult period.
The aircraft, NAF 931, was carrying 25 people, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers. It was reportedly on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
According to the statement, search-and-rescue operations were immediately activated in coordination with relevant authorities to locate and account for everyone on board. However, no survivors have been found.
The five crew members were identified as Squadron Leader MI Aburime, Flight Captain; Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje, Co-pilot; Flight Lieutenant IS Bako, Co-pilot; Warrant Officer Abubakar A, Aircraft Technician; and Corporal Uguru HC, Aircraft Technician.
The passengers were identified as Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus, Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye, Flying Officer IM Adeshina, Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F, Master Warrant Officer Matini BA, Warrant Officer Nuhu FS, Flight Sergeant James RB, Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI, Sergeant Ani AE, Sergeant Izibenikien SI, Sergeant Alafuka C, Sergeant Mbadugha AN, Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC, Lance Corporal Eledan GE, Mrs Ezeh Nneka, Godstmine Tarabina, Joy Micheal, Sunday Micheal, Ukeme David and Gideon Omotola.
The CAS has directed a comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The Nigerian Air Force said it would continue to provide timely and verified updates as the investigation progresses, while urging the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information and to respect the privacy and dignity of the affected families.
