The Nigerian Air Force has released the names of 25 people it says were killed in Monday’s military aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, confirming that no survivor was found as the Chief of the Air Staff ordered a comprehensive investigation into the accident.
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In its latest account of the crash, the Air Force said the victims comprised five crew members and 20 passengers aboard the ATR-42 aircraft, which was on a routine flight from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos when it went down in the Igbokoda area on October 5, 2026.
The figure differs from preliminary information released shortly after the crash by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who had said 25 passengers and seven crew members 32 people in total were believed to have been on board. The Presidency also referred to the same preliminary figure of 32 in announcing three days of national mourning on Monday.
However, in the statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the Nigerian Air Force said the aircraft had 25 people on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers. The latest statement, as reported by Channels Television and Vanguard, did not explain the difference between that figure and the earlier preliminary count of 32.
According to the Air Force, search-and-rescue procedures were activated immediately after the aircraft went down, with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies joining efforts to locate and account for everyone aboard.
“No survivors have been found,” the Air Force said in its latest update.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, expressed condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those killed, describing the crash as a deeply painful moment for both the Nigerian Air Force and the country.
Aneke assured the bereaved families that the Service would support them during the period of mourning and directed that a comprehensive investigation be carried out to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The investigation follows an earlier directive by President Bola Tinubu for the Air Force to immediately investigate the cause of the accident and take steps aimed at preventing a recurrence. The President also declared three days of national mourning and ordered flags across the country to be flown at half-mast in honour of the personnel who died.
The Air Force said it would continue to release verified information as the investigation progresses and urged members of the public to avoid speculation or circulation of unverified claims, while respecting the privacy and dignity of the families affected.
Ejodame also announced the opening of a condolence register at the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters in Abuja for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic community, heads of security agencies and other sympathisers wishing to pay their respects.
According to the list released by the Air Force, the five crew members who died were:
- 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 were:
- 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.
The aircraft, identified earlier by aviation authorities as NGR 931, lost contact with air traffic controllers while travelling from Benin to Lagos before its wreckage was located near the Nigerian Navy base in Igbokoda.
Keyamo had said shortly after the accident that attempts to re-establish radio communication with the aircraft were unsuccessful before confirmation emerged that it had crashed.
The ATR-42 went down in difficult swampy terrain, prompting the deployment of Nigerian Air Force personnel, other security agencies and emergency responders to the area.
President Tinubu, while mourning the victims, described the crash as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the country and said the sacrifice of Air Force personnel serving Nigeria would not be forgotten.
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