The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has expressed condolences to the families of personnel and passengers who lost their lives in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR 42 aircraft, NAF 931, crash in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the CAS described the incident as a painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation.
Aneke expressed sympathy to the families, loved ones and colleagues of those who died in the accident, assuring the bereaved families of the Service’s full support during the difficult period.
According to the statement, “NAF 931 had 25 persons on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers. The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred. Search-and-rescue procedures were immediately activated, with response efforts conducted in coordination with relevant authorities to locate and account for all persons on board. No survivors have been found.”
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The crew members were 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 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 establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The Nigerian Air Force said it would continue to provide timely and verified updates as the investigation progresses.
It also urged the public to refrain from speculation and the circulation of unverified information while respecting the privacy and dignity of the affected families.
A condolence register has been opened at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force, Abuja, for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies, and other well-wishers who wish to pay their respects and convey messages of sympathy to the families of the deceased and the Nigerian Air Force.
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