IGBOKODA, Nigeria — The Nigerian Air Force has released the names of the 25 people killed in Monday’s military aircraft crash in Ondo State, confirming that there were no survivors.
The dead comprised five crew members and 20 passengers aboard an ATR-42 aircraft, designated NAF 931, which was travelling from Benin City to Lagos when it crashed in the Igbokoda area.
The Air Force released the names on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, a day after the aircraft went down near a naval base in the coastal community.
Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the Air Force’s director of public relations and information, said search-and-rescue procedures were activated immediately after the accident and carried out with other authorities.
“No survivors have been found,” the Air Force said.
The cause of the crash has not been established.
Air Force Identifies Crew and Passengers
The five crew members 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
Earlier Figure of 32 Revised to 25
The confirmation also resolved conflicting accounts about the number of people aboard the aircraft.
Initial government statements on Monday said the aircraft was carrying 32 people — 25 passengers and seven crew members.
The Air Force subsequently said the final manifest showed 25 people aboard: 20 passengers and five crew members.
The ATR-42 was on what the military described as a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when contact with the aircraft was lost.
The wreckage was later located in the Igbokoda area, near a river and a naval facility. Parts of the aircraft were partially submerged, according to reports from the scene.
Air Chief Orders Investigation
Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the chief of the air staff, ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Aneke described the crash as “a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation,” according to the Air Force statement.
He expressed condolences to the families, loved ones, and colleagues of those killed and said the service would support the bereaved families.
The Air Force said further verified information would be released as the investigation progressed and urged the public to avoid circulating unconfirmed accounts about the crash.
It also announced that a condolence register had been opened at Nigerian Air Force headquarters in Abuja for government officials, diplomats, heads of security agencies, and other people wishing to pay their respects.
Tinubu Declares Three Days of Mourning
President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning after the crash and ordered flags across Nigeria to be flown at half-mast.
“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation,” Tinubu said in a statement released by the Presidency.
“Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Tinubu also directed the Air Force to investigate the crash.
“The Chief of Air Staff has briefed me, and I have directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences,” the president said.
He commended the Air Force for activating its search-and-rescue operation after the aircraft went down.
The military has not announced any preliminary finding on what caused NAF 931 to crash.
