Coffie condoles NAF, families of victims of Ondo plane crash

Tony Okoh, Uyo

2023 Governorship Candidate of the Accord Party in Akwa Ibom State, Engr. Emem Coffie has expressed deep sorrow over the reported crash of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft near a naval facility in Ondo State, South-West Nigeria.

Coffie, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), described the incident as a devastating national tragedy, stressing that the personnel who lost their lives had made significant sacrifices in the service of the nation.

In a statement made available to journalists, Coffie said he was deeply saddened by the reported loss of lives in the air mishap.

“I am deeply saddened by the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft near a naval base in Ondo State, South-West Nigeria. The reported loss of the 32 persons on board is deeply devastating,” he said.

He described the fallen personnel as heroes who sacrificed greatly for Nigeria’s security, unity and peaceful coexistence.

“The news of their painful demise is very devastating. They sacrificed so much for the unity and security of our country. My heartfelt condolences go to the Nigerian Air Force and the immediate families of these fallen heroes,” Coffie stated.

According to reports, the aircraft was involved in a routine support mission from Benin City to Lagos when air traffic controllers reportedly lost contact with it at about 9:13 a.m. on Monday, October 5, 2026.

Coffie, while commiserating with the Nigerian Air Force and the bereaved families, prayed God to grant the departed personnel eternal rest and give their families the strength and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“On behalf of my family and teeming supporters, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian Air Force and the families of the fallen heroes. May God intervene and give them strength and succour to overcome this challenging period,” he said.

He also urged the Federal Government to demonstrate empathy by providing adequate support and compensation to the families of the deceased personnel.

Coffie further called on relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the crash, with a view to preventing a recurrence.

“I join millions of Nigerians to pray God to keep such tragedies away from our national life. I also appeal to all relevant authorities to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the mishap and put measures in place to prevent a recurrence,” he added.