NAF 931 crash: Air Force confirms death of 25, orders investigation

The three heroic fallen pilots of the crashed NAF 931 ATR-42: Squadron Leader MI Aburime (Flight Captain), standing in the middle; Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje (Co-pilot), on the left-hand side; and Flight Lieutenant IS Bako (Co-pilot), on the right-hand side

Michael Olumide Alabi

Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed the death of all 25 persons on board its ATR 42 aircraft, NAF 931, which crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.

The aircraft, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, expressed profound condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the victims, describing the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation.

According to the NAF, search-and-rescue procedures were immediately activated following the accident, with response efforts coordinated with relevant authorities to locate and account for everyone on board.
However, the Air Force said no survivor had been found.

The five crew members identified as victims of the crash are 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 20 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 and Lance Corporal Eledan GE.

Other passengers were Mrs Ezeh Nneka, Godstmine Tarabina, Joy Micheal, Sunday Micheal, Ukeme David and Gideon Omotola.
The CAS has directed a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

The Nigerian Air Force said the investigation would establish the circumstances and possible causes of the crash, while assuring the public that timely and verified information would be provided as the process progresses.

The Air Force also appealed to members of the public to refrain from speculation and the circulation of unverified information, urging them to respect the privacy and dignity of the affected families.

Air Marshal Aneke assured the bereaved families of the full support of the Nigerian Air Force during the difficult period.

Meanwhile, a condolence register has been opened at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers wishing to pay their respects and convey messages of sympathy to the families of the deceased and the Nigerian Air Force.

The Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, expressed deep sadness over the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash in Ondo State, which claimed the lives of 25 people.

Atiku, in a condolence message, described the scale and circumstances of the tragedy as heartbreaking, saying the incident had extinguished lives of service, promise and innocence in one devastating moment.

According to him, among those who lost their lives were airmen, soldiers and members of their families.

“Lives of service, promise and innocence were extinguished in one devastating moment,” Atiku said.

He extended his thoughts and prayers to the families of all the deceased, acknowledging the profound pain caused by the sudden loss of loved ones.

The ADC presidential candidate said no words could adequately comfort parents who had lost their children, children who had lost their parents, or families suddenly deprived of their loved ones.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of all the deceased. No words can adequately comfort parents who have lost children, children who have lost parents, or families suddenly deprived of their loved ones,” he said.

Atiku also extended his heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian Air Force and the Armed Forces of Nigeria, as well as the governments and people of Nigeria and Ondo State.

He prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims and asked God to comfort their grieving families and strengthen the Nigerian Air Force and the nation during the difficult period.

“May Almighty God grant eternal rest to the souls of the departed, comfort their grieving families and give the Nigerian Air Force and our nation the strength to bear this painful loss,” he said.

The Nigerian Air Force had earlier confirmed that 25 persons were on board the ATR 42 aircraft, NAF 931, which crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

The Air Force said no survivors had been found and ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Former Anambra State Governor and Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) figure, Peter Obi, visited the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) facility in Abuja to formally sign the condolence register following the recent aircraft crash that claimed 25 lives.

Obi said the visit provided him another opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made daily by members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies in the line of duty.

According to him, the men and women serving the country put their lives on the line to defend the nation and protect its citizens, stressing that their service and sacrifices should not be taken for granted.

He expressed his deepest condolences to the Nigerian Air Force and the families, colleagues and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the crash.

“The visit gave me another opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made daily by the men and women of our Armed Forces and other security agencies in the line of duty,” Obi said.

“These courageous Nigerians put their lives on the line to defend our nation and protect our people. We must never take their service and sacrifice for granted.”

Obi also prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and for divine strength for their bereaved families to cope with the painful loss.

“May God grant eternal rest to the departed and give their families the strength and fortitude to bear this painful loss,” he said.

He further prayed for God’s continued protection for all Nigerians serving the country, particularly members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

“May God continue to protect all those who serve our country,” Obi added.

The Nigerian Air Force had earlier confirmed that 25 people, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, were on board the ATR 42 aircraft, NAF 931, which crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

The NAF said no survivors had been found and that a comprehensive investigation had been ordered to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.