The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that 25 people — five crew members and 20 passengers were in the crash of its ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday. There has been no report of any survival.
The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed into a swampy area close to the Nigerian Navy Base in Igbokoda.
The NAF, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said no survivor had been found.
The clarification followed initial reports that 32 people were on board. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had on Monday said preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard the aircraft. The NAF has now established that the manifest contained 25 people — five crew members and 20 passengers.
The NAF identified the crew members 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; and Corporal Uguru HC, aircraft technician.
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.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Mr Maurice Oripenaiye, said search and recovery efforts were continuing at the crash site.
Speaking to journalists in Igbokoda on Tuesday, Oripenaiye said personnel from the Army, Navy, Police, Red Cross, National Emergency Management Agency, Ondo State Emergency Management Agency and local divers were participating in the operation.
He said the swampy terrain had made access difficult, with local divers using canoes currently providing the main access to the site.
According to him, arrangements were being made to deploy heavy equipment to clear the waterways and facilitate access to the crash site. He said HiTech Construction Company had been contacted to provide the necessary equipment.
Oripenaiye said no bodies had been recovered at the time of his briefing.
“This is also a national disaster. So, all necessary personnel, emergency authorities, including local divers, are on ground to search and recover the bodies,” he said. He added that Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had directed relevant emergency agencies to participate in the recovery operation.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, expressed condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the victims, describing the crash as a deeply painful moment for the NAF and the nation.
Aneke assured the bereaved families of the full support of the service and directed a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The NAF also appealed to the public to refrain from speculation and the circulation of unverified information, promising to provide timely and verified updates as the investigation progresses.
A condolence register has been opened at NAF Headquarters, Abuja, for government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, security chiefs and other well-wishers wishing to sympathise with the families of the deceased and the Air Force.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum also expressed grief over the tragedy and extended condolences to the families of the victims and the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The incident has prompted a national mourning response, with President Bola Tinubu declaring three days of national mourning and directing that the national flag be flown at half-mast in honour of the deceased.
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