The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has officially published the identities of the 25 individuals who lost their lives when an NAF ATR 42 aircraft crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday.
The aircraft, designated NAF 931, was transport to five crew members and 20 passengers before going down while en route from Benin to Lagos during a routine mission.
NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame confirmed in a statement that search-and-rescue teams activated alongside relevant agencies found no survivors at the scene.
The five crew members who died in the accident are Flight Captain Squadron Leader MI Aburime, Co-pilots Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje and Flight Lieutenant IS Bako, alongside Aircraft Technicians Warrant Officer Abubakar A and Corporal Uguru HC.
The 20 passengers were identified as 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, and Gideon Omotola.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, extended his heart-felt sympathies to the families, loved ones, and colleagues of the victims. He characterized the accident as an intensely painful moment for both the Nigerian Air Force and the entire nation, assuring the bereaved families that the Service would provide full backing during this trial.
Aneke has also ordered a full-scale inquiry into the causes and circumstances of the crash.
In response to the tragedy, a condolence register has been opened at NAF Headquarters in Abuja to allow senior government representatives, diplomats, security agency chiefs, and members of the public to offer their tributes and condolences to the NAF and the affected families.
The statement was authorized by the Director of Public Relations and Information at the NAF Headquarters.
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: 6. Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus 7. Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye 8. Flying Officer IM Adeshina 9. Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F 10. Master Warrant Officer Matini BA 11. Warrant Officer Nuhu FS 12. Flight Sergeant James RB 13. Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI 14. Sergeant Ani AE 15. Sergeant Izibenikien SI 16. Sergeant Alafuka C 17. Sergeant Mbadugha AN 18. Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC 19. Lance Corporal Eledan GE 20. Mrs Ezeh Nneka 21. Godstmine Tarabina 22. Joy Micheal 23. Sunday Micheal 24. Ukeme David 25. Gideon Omotola
