The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has released the names of the 25 personnel and passengers who lost their lives in the aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The aircraft, identified as NAF 931, crashed on Monday while conducting a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The NAF said the aircraft had five crew members and 20 passengers on board, adding that there were no survivors.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, described the incident as a painful loss to the Nigerian Air Force and the nation.
Those who died included:
Crew members
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
Corporal Uguru HC — Aircraft Technician
Passengers
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
Sergeant Ani AE
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
Gideon Omotola
Ejodame said search-and-rescue operations commenced immediately after the crash, with the NAF collaborating with relevant authorities to locate and account for all those on board.
He said the Chief of the Air Staff had ordered a comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident.
“The Nigerian Air Force will continue to provide timely and verified updates as the investigation progresses and urges the public to refrain from speculation and the circulation of unverified information, while respecting the privacy and dignity of the affected families,” Ejodame said.
He also announced the opening of a condolence register at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja for government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers wishing to pay their respects to the deceased and sympathise with their families.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning in honour of the victims of the crash.
The President described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the entire country, while extending his condolences to the Chief of the Air Staff and officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force.
“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation,” Tinubu said.
“Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
The investigation is expected to establish the cause of the crash and provide further details about the circumstances leading to the aircraft’s final moments before it crashed in Ondo State.
