11
- Five crew, 20 passengers perished as nation mourns; Tinubu declares three-day mourning
The tragedy of the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, has assumed a more painful dimension with the release of the names of the 25 people who lost their lives in the disaster.
The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, on Tuesday confirmed that all 25 persons on board its ATR-42 aircraft, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, died in the crash.
The aircraft, with registration number NAF 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday.
Search-and-rescue operations were immediately activated in collaboration with relevant authorities, but no survivor was found.
The latest NAF confirmation also clarifies the number of persons on board.
While initial reports from government officials had put the figure at 32, the Air Force’s subsequently released manifest lists 25 people—five crew members and 20 passengers.
The crash has triggered national mourning, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declaring three days of national mourning and directing that flags be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the fallen personnel.
The President also ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
In a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the Service said its search-and-rescue procedures were immediately activated following the accident.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation, extending condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the victims.
Aneke assured the bereaved families of the full support of the Service and directed a comprehensive investigation to establish what led to the crash.
The NAF also appealed to members of the public to refrain from speculation and the circulation of unverified information, urging Nigerians to respect the privacy and dignity of the grieving families.
As the nation mourns, a condolence register has been opened at NAF Headquarters, Abuja, for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers to pay their respects.
Behind the official casualty figures are 25 individual lives—airmen entrusted with the responsibility of serving their country and passengers whose families, friends and colleagues are now confronting an unimaginable loss.
THE FIVE CREW MEMBERS
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
Corporal Uguru HC — Aircraft Technician
THE 20 PASSENGERS
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
Gideon Omotola
Twenty-five families and circles of loved ones now left to confront the devastating consequences of a tragedy whose cause is yet to be established.
For the Nigerian Air Force, the investigation now begins. For the bereaved families, however, the waiting, the questions and the grief have already begun.
The NAF 931 crash occurred on Monday, October 5, 2026, near Igbokoda in Ondo State while the aircraft was travelling from Benin to Lagos on a routine mission.
The ATR-42 was located after contact was lost, and authorities mounted search-and-rescue operations.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
