The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed the crash of one of its ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, with all 25 people on board confirmed dead.The aircraft, identified as NAF 931, was reportedly carrying out a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos when it crashed on Monday, October 5, 2026.According to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft at about 9:13 a.m. Attempts to re-establish communication with the crew were unsuccessful.
The wreckage was later discovered in a difficult swampy, riverine area close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
NAF Clarifies Casualty Figures
There was initial confusion over the number of people aboard the aircraft.
An earlier statement attributed to the Aviation Minister indicated that 32 people, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members, were on board.
However, the Nigerian Air Force later clarified the figure in an official statement released on Tuesday, October 6.
According to the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the aircraft had 25 people on board — five crew members and 20 passengers.
The NAF confirmed that there were no survivors.
Five Crew Members Among Those KilledThe five crew members identified by the Nigerian Air Force were:
Squadron Leader : MI Aburime
Squadron Leader : AP Man-Ugwueje — Co-pilot
Flight Lieutenant IS Bako – Co-pilot
Warrant Officer Abubakar A -Aircraft Technician
Corporal Uguru HC — Aircraft Technician
Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje was reportedly married just two weeks before the crash.
The passengers included military personnel and civilians, among them Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus, Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye, Flying Officer IM Adeshina, Master Warrant Officers Onwuka F and Matini BA, Warrant Officer Nuhu FS, Flight Sergeants James RB and Mohammed AI, and several other military personnel.
Civilians identified among the victims include Mrs Ezeh Nneka, Godstmine Tarabina, Joy Micheal, Sunday Micheal, Ukeme David and Gideon Omotola.
Investigation Ordered
Following the tragedy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed that a thorough investigation be launched to determine what caused the aircraft to crash.
Search and rescue efforts involved personnel from the Nigerian Navy, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ondo State Emergency Management Agency, the Police and local Amotekun operatives.The difficult swampy terrain around the crash site reportedly made the recovery operation challenging.
The 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 country.The crash has sparked an outpouring of condolences, with Nigerians mourning the military personnel and civilians who lost their lives.May the souls of the deceased rest in peace, and may their families find strength during this difficult period.
