NAF Names 25 Victims of Ondo Plane Crash as No Survivors Found

NAF Names 25 Victims of Ondo Plane Crash as No Survivors Found

By Olufemi Odeyemi The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that all 25 people aboard its ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, died when it crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday. The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Air Force's Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the aircraft carried five crew members and 20 passengers. Search and rescue procedures were activated immediately, but no survivor was found.

The figure differs from the one first given on Monday by Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, who said preliminary information suggested 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board. Keyamo had said air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft, tail number NGR 931, at about 9:13 a.m. He later confirmed that it had come down near a naval base in Igbokoda, in Ilaje Local Government Area, a swampy coastal area. Ondo State Police also confirmed the crash.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Air Force and the nation. He extended condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the victims and assured the bereaved of the Service's full support. He has directed a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of the crash, and a condolence register has been opened at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja.

The Air Force released the following names.

Crew

1. Squadron Leader MI Aburime, Flight Captain

2. Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje, Co-pilot

3. Flight Lieutenant IS Bako, Co-pilot

4. Warrant Officer Abubakar A, Aircraft Technician

5. 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

President Bola Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesman Bayo Onanuga, extended condolences to the families of those on board and to the Air Force. He directed the Service to begin a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences, and commended it for activating search and rescue promptly. The President has declared three days of national mourning.

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa mobilised rescue support, and the state government ordered emergency and logistics assistance. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has said it can only investigate if invited by the military.

The cause of the crash has not been established.

The Guardian's review of military aviation losses counts the Ondo crash as the 16th military aircraft crash or loss in its decade-long review, and the tragedy has renewed scrutiny of the safety of the country's military air fleet.