The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has condoled with the families of the personnel and passengers who lost their lives in the crash involving a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR 42 aircraft, NAF 931, in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Air Marshal Aneke described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Air Force and the nation.
He sympathised with the families, loved ones, and colleagues of those who lost their lives, while assuring the bereaved families of the Service’s full support during this difficult period.
According to him, NAF 931 had 25 persons on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers.
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, and Sergeant Ani AE.
Others were 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.
Air Marshal Aneke affirmed that the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
He noted that 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.
The CAS confirmed that no survivors had been found and directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.
NAF stated that it would continue to provide timely and verified updates as the investigation progresses, while urging the public to refrain from speculation and the circulation of unverified information.
It also urged the public to respect the privacy and dignity of the affected families.
NAF added that a condolence register had been opened at its headquarters in Abuja for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies, and other well-wishers who may wish to pay their respects and convey messages of sympathy to the families of the deceased and the Air Force.
