The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has identified the 25 personnel and civilians who lost their lives in the crash of one of its aircraft in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The fatal incident involved an NAF ATR 42 aircraft with registration number NAF 931, which was reportedly on a routine military flight from Benin to Lagos on Monday, October 5, 2026, when it crashed.
According to the NAF, five crew members and 20 passengers were on board the aircraft.
Search-and-rescue personnel subsequently deployed to the scene were unable to locate any survivor.
The identities of the victims were released on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, by the NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.
Among the five crew members killed were Squadron Leader M.I. Aburime, the flight captain; Squadron Leader A.P. Man-Ugwueje, co-pilot; Flight Lieutenant I.S. Bako, co-pilot; Warrant Officer Abubakar A.; and Corporal Uguru H.C., both aircraft technicians.
The passengers who died in the crash were identified as Flight Lieutenant T.L. Lazarus, Flight Lieutenant M. Akinloye, Flying Officer I.M. Adeshina, Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F., Master Warrant Officer Matini B.A., Warrant Officer Nuhu F.S. and Flight Sergeant James R.B.
Others were Flight Sergeant Mohammed A.I., Sergeant Ani A.E., Sergeant Izibenikien S.I., Sergeant Alafuka C., Sergeant Mbadugha A.N., Lance Corporal Ugwuba F.C. and Lance Corporal Eledan G.E.
The remaining victims were Mrs Ezeh Nneka, Godstmine Tarabina, Joy Micheal, Sunday Micheal, Ukeme David and Gideon Omotola.
Reacting to the tragedy, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Kelvin Aneke, described the incident as a major loss to the Nigerian military and the country.
Aneke conveyed his condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who died, while assuring the bereaved families of the Nigerian Air Force’s support during the difficult period.
The Chief of the Air Staff has also directed a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The investigation is expected to establish what led to the aircraft’s crash and provide relevant findings on the incident.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has opened a condolence register at its headquarters in Abuja.
The register is expected to provide an opportunity for government officials, foreign diplomats, heads of security agencies and members of the public to pay their respects to the victims of the crash.
