The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has released the names of 25 personnel and passengers who died in Monday’s crash involving NAF aircraft 931 in the swampy terrain of Igbokoda, Ondo State.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed the casualties in a statement on Tuesday, conveying the grief of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke. The aircraft was en route from Benin City to Lagos on a routine assignment with five crew members and 20 passengers when it crashed. Search-and-rescue teams confirmed there were no survivors.
The flight crew were Squadron Leader M.I. Aburime (Captain), Squadron Leader A.P. Man-Ugwueje (Co-Pilot), Flight Lieutenant I.S. Bako (Co-Pilot), Warrant Officer Abubakar A. (Technician) and Corporal Uguru H.C. (Technician).
The passengers were Flight Lieutenant T.L. Lazarus; Flight Lieutenant M. Akinloye; Flying Officer I.M. Adeshina; Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F.; Master Warrant Officer Matini B.A.; Warrant Officer Nuhu F.S.; Flight Sergeant James R.B.; Flight Sergeant Mohammed A.I.; Sergeant Ani A.E.; Sergeant Izibenikien S.I.; Sergeant Alafuka C.; Sergeant Mbadugha A.N.; Lance Corporal Ugwuba F.C.; Lance Corporal Eledan G.E.; Mrs. Ezeh Nneka; Godstime Tarabina; Joy Micheal; Sunday Micheal; Ukeme David; and Gideon Omotola.
Following the confirmation of no survivors, Aneke ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash. The NAF urged the public to avoid spreading unverified reports or speculation and appealed for respect for the privacy and grief of the victims’ families. A condolence register has also been opened at NAF Headquarters in Abuja for government representatives, diplomats, security chiefs and members of the public.
President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning over the incident and expressed condolences to the Chief of Air Staff, military personnel and the victims’ families. He described the deaths as a painful loss to the nation’s armed forces and said the victims’ service to the country would be remembered.