The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that all 25 people aboard its ATR-42 aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday have died, releasing the identities of the five crew members and 20 passengers.
The development came a day after the crash was first reported, when rescue operations were still underway and authorities had yet to confirm the condition or exact number of people aboard the aircraft.
Insightlinks reported that a military aircraft had crashed in a swampy area around Igbokoda, with security and emergency agencies mobilising to the scene. At the time, the number of casualties had not been officially confirmed.
The aircraft, identified as NAF 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area. The aircraft had earlier disappeared from radar at about 9:13am before its wreckage was located near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
In a statement on Tuesday, the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the aircraft had 25 people on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers.
The Air Force said search-and-rescue procedures were immediately activated in coordination with relevant authorities, but added that no survivors had been found.
The clarification also revised the preliminary figure of 32 people earlier given by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who had said 25 passengers and seven crew members were believed to be aboard the aircraft.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the country, while extending condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the victims.
He also assured the bereaved families of the Service’s full support and directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Full list of victims
Crew
– 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
Q- 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 crash has since triggered mourning across the country, with President Bola Tinubu ordering a thorough investigation into the incident and declaring three days of national mourning.
The NAF urged the public to rely only on verified information as the investigation continues and appealed for respect for the privacy and dignity of the victims’ families.
It also announced that a condolence register had been opened at its headquarters in Abuja for government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers to pay their respects.