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| Personal effects of victims and aircraft parts recovered from crash site |
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, released the full list of the 25 personnel and passengers who lost their lives when its ATR-42 aircraft, tail number NAF 931, crashed into a swamp near Igbokoda in Ondo State on Monday.
In a statement signed by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, the air force confirmed that all 25 people on board - five crew members and 20 passengers, contrary to earlier reported 32 - perished in the accident, with no survivors found.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the crash as a “deeply painful moment” for the Air Force and the nation, extending profound condolences to the families and colleagues of the deceased. He also ordered a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences.
Crew and Passengers Identified
The NAF named the five crew members who died in the crash as:
• 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)
The 20 passengers included military personnel and civilians:
• 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 the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
According to the statement, 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.
He noted that while no survivors have been found yet, the CAS has directed a comprehensive investigation to establish 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,” he said.
“A condolence register has also been opened at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, 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 Nigerian Air Force.”
President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for personnel who died in the crash.
“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation,” Tinubu said in a condolence message to the chief of air staff, and officers, airmen and airwomen of the air force.
“Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
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