Ondo Air Crash: NAF Names 25 Victims as Probe Begins, Tinubu Declares Three-Day Mourning

The Nigerian Air Force has released the identities of the 25 people it says lost their lives in the crash involving its ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The confirmation came a day after the aircraft disappeared from radar while travelling from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos on a routine mission. Earlier preliminary information had indicated that 32 people – 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard, but the Nigerian Air Force subsequently confirmed that 25 people were on the aircraft, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, and that no survivor had been found.

The development has deepened the grief surrounding the crash, with families, colleagues and the Nigerian military mourning personnel who were travelling on what was described as a routine mission.

Global Mirror News gathered that the aircraft went down in a swampy area close to the Naval Base at Igbokoda on Monday, October 5, after air traffic controllers reportedly lost contact with it at about 9:13 a.m. Efforts to establish communication with the aircraft were unsuccessful before its wreckage was located near the coastal community.

The 25 victims

According to the statement issued by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the victims comprised five crew members and 20 passengers.

Crew members

1. Squadron Leader MI Aburime — Flight Captain
2. Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje — Co-pilot
3. Flight Lieutenant IS Bako — Co-pilot
4. Warrant Officer Abubakar A — Aircraft Technician
5. Corporal Uguru HC — Aircraft Technician

Passengers

1. Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus
2. Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye
3. Flying Officer IM Adeshina
4. Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F
5. Master Warrant Officer Matini BA
6. Warrant Officer Nuhu FS
7. Flight Sergeant James RB
8. Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI
9. Sergeant Ani AE
10. Sergeant Izibenikien SI
11. Sergeant Alafuka C
12. Sergeant Mbadugha AN
13. Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC
14. Lance Corporal Eledan GE
15. Mrs Ezeh Nneka
16. Godstmine Tarabina
17. Joy Micheal
18. Sunday Micheal
19. Ukeme David
20. Gideon Omotola

The NAF said the aircraft was carrying out a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the tragedy occurred.

“Search-and-rescue procedures were immediately activated,” the Air Force said, adding that the response involved coordination with relevant authorities to locate and account for everyone on board. No survivors have been found.

Tinubu declares three days of mourning

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for the Air Force personnel who died in the crash and directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country.

The President had earlier described the crash as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and Nigeria, while extending his condolences to the victims’ families, the Chief of the Air Staff and the entire Nigerian Air Force.

Tinubu also directed the NAF to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, with the aim of establishing what went wrong and preventing a recurrence.

Global Mirror News reports that the President also commended the Nigerian Air Force, first responders and the Ondo State Government for their response following the crash.

Investigation begins

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has directed a comprehensive investigation into the crash.

The Defence Headquarters has also confirmed that investigations have commenced while recovery and related operations continue at the crash site.

The circumstances leading to the crash remain unclear. Authorities have not announced a definitive cause, and the investigation is expected to examine the aircraft’s condition, flight operations, weather, communications and other factors that may have contributed to the tragedy.

The ATR-42 involved in the incident is among the aircraft operated by the Nigerian Air Force for specialised missions, including maritime patrol and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance duties.

Ondo Government mobilises support

Following the crash, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, directed state emergency and security agencies to support the rescue and recovery operations.

The governor ordered the mobilisation of the State Emergency Management Agency, Ministry of Health and relevant security agencies, while directing that the crash site be secured to facilitate operations and prevent interference. He also appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information.

For residents of Igbokoda, the incident brought shock and anguish as the wreckage was discovered in the coastal community. The crash site, located close to the Naval Base, became the centre of an emergency operation involving military personnel, security agencies and other responders.

NAF urges public to avoid speculation

The Nigerian Air Force appealed to members of the public to rely only on verified information as the investigation progresses.

The Service also urged the media and members of the public to respect the privacy and dignity of the bereaved families and avoid circulating unverified reports about the crash.

A condolence register has meanwhile been opened at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja for government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other Nigerians who wish to pay their respects.

The tragedy has left the families of the victims facing the painful reality of losing loved ones in an accident that began as an ordinary military journey from Benin to Lagos.

As the Nation mourns, attention now turns to the investigation and the search for answers about what happened to NAF 931 before it crashed in Igbokoda.

Global Mirror News will continue to monitor developments and bring readers verified updates from the Nigerian Air Force and other competent authorities.