Ondo NAF Crash: 25 Lives Lost as Air Force Releases Victims’ Names
By Akin Alade
The Nigerian Air Force has officially confirmed the death of all 25 people aboard its ATR-42 aircraft that crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, bringing fresh grief to the nation as President Bola Tinubu orders a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The Nigerian Air Force said the aircraft, designated NAF 931, had five crew members and 20 passengers on board when it crashed on Monday during a routine mission from Benin to Lagos. The Service said search-and-rescue procedures were activated immediately, but no survivor was found.
The latest confirmation has also provided the identities of the victims, including five crew members and 20 passengers, allowing families, colleagues and the wider public to properly identify and mourn those who lost their lives.
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.
Among 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 and Flight Sergeant James RB.
Others identified by the NAF were 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.
The remaining passengers were Mrs Ezeh Nneka, Godstmine Tarabina, Joy Micheal, Sunday Micheal, Ukeme David and Gideon Omotola.
The confirmation has shifted attention from the immediate search-and-rescue operation to the crucial task of establishing what caused the aircraft to crash and determining whether any factors could have been identified or addressed before the tragedy.
President Tinubu had already directed the Nigerian Air Force to commence a thorough investigation, while commending the Service for activating an immediate search-and-rescue operation and praising first responders and the Ondo State Government for their response at the crash site.
The President also declared three days of national mourning and ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast in honour of those who died, describing the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the country.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, expressed profound condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased and assured the bereaved families of the Nigerian Air Force’s full support.
Aneke also directed a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident, with the NAF promising to provide timely and verified updates as the inquiry progresses.
The Air Force has meanwhile appealed to members of the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information concerning the crash, stressing the need to respect the privacy and dignity of the affected families.
The tragedy has also prompted renewed attention to the safety of military aviation and the risks faced by Nigerian military personnel while carrying out official assignments. The affected personnel were on a routine mission when the aircraft went down in the difficult terrain around Igbokoda.
The crash site presented significant challenges to responders, with the aircraft located in a difficult riverside environment. The immediate mobilisation of relevant agencies therefore became critical to the search, recovery and identification process.
For the families of the deceased, however, the official confirmation marks the beginning of another difficult phase as they await further information from the investigation and arrangements for the burial and final rites of their loved ones.
The NAF’s decision to release the identities of the victims is also expected to assist families and colleagues in properly accounting for those aboard the aircraft while providing an official record of the personnel and passengers lost.
As the investigation begins, attention will remain on whether the crash resulted from technical, operational, environmental or other factors. The findings will be critical not only to the families seeking answers but also to efforts to strengthen military aviation safety.
For now, the nation mourns 25 lives lost in the Ondo air crash, while the Nigerian Air Force faces the responsibility of supporting the bereaved families and ensuring that the investigation produces credible answers.
The tragedy has underscored once again the sacrifice made by members of the Armed Forces and other personnel who undertake difficult assignments in service to Nigeria.
As flags fly at half-mast and the country observes the period of national mourning, the priority remains clear: honour the dead, support their families, establish the truth about the crash and apply every necessary lesson to prevent a similar tragedy in the future.
