NAF has released the names of five crew members and 20 passengers who died in the NAF 931 aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has released the names of the 25 people who died in the crash involving its ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The aircraft, which had five crew members and 20 passengers on board, crashed on Monday while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, released the names in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the five crew members were Sqn. Ldr. MI Aburime, Flight Captain; Sqn. Ldr. AP Man-Ugwueje, Co-pilot; Flt.-Lt. IS Bako, Co-pilot; Warrant Officer Abubakar A, Aircraft Technician; and Cpl. Uguru HC, Aircraft Technician.
The passengers were identified as Flt.-Lt. TL Lazarus, Flt.-Lt. M Akinloye, Flying Officer IM Adeshina, Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F, Master Warrant Officer Matini BA, Warrant Officer Nuhu FS, Flight Sergeant James RB and Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI.
Others were Sgt. Ani AE, Sgt. Izibenikien SI, Sgt. Alafuka C, Sgt. Mbadugha AN, Lance Cpl. Ugwuba FC, Lance Cpl. Eledan GE, Mrs Ezeh Nneka, Godstmine Tarabina, Joy Micheal, Sunday Micheal, Ukeme David and Gideon Omotola.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, expressed condolences to the families, relatives and colleagues of the deceased.
Aneke described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation, while assuring the bereaved families of the service’s full support during the difficult period.
The Chief of the Air Staff has also directed a comprehensive investigation into the accident to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.
NAF said it would continue to provide timely and verified information as the investigation progresses.
The service urged members of the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information, while appealing for respect for the privacy and dignity of the affected families.
The Nigerian Air Force also announced that a condolence register had been opened at NAF Headquarters in Abuja.
According to the statement, the register is available for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers who wish to pay their respects and convey messages of sympathy to the families of the victims and the Nigerian Air Force.
The NAF 931 aircraft was carrying 25 people, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, when the crash occurred in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Search and rescue operations were activated immediately after the incident in coordination with relevant authorities to locate and account for everyone on board.
The release of the victims’ names comes as authorities continue efforts to recover the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal aircraft crash.
There has been a discrepancy in the reported number of people killed in the NAF 931 crash. Our earlier report stated that 32 people lost their lives, based on the figure made available to journalists at the time. The Nigerian Air Force has since clarified that 25 people—five crew members and 20 passengers—were on board the aircraft, with no survivors.Â
We sincerely apologise for the earlier figure and any confusion it may have caused. Our report has been updated to reflect the official figure subsequently provided by the Nigerian Air Force.
Visit GMTNewsng for more news stories.
