The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has released the names of the 25 personnel who lost their lives when its aircraft, marked NAF 931, plunged into the swamps on Monday in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State
In a statement on Tuesday, the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Air Force and the nation at large.
He said the aircraft had 25 people on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, adding that no survivors had been found.
The crew members were:
1. Squadron Leader M.I. Aburime (Flight Captain)
2. Squadron Leader A.P. Man-Ugwueje (Co-pilot)
3. Flight Lieutenant I.S. Bako (Co-pilot)
4. Warrant Officer Abubakar A. (Aircraft Technician)
5. Corporal Uguru H.C. (Aircraft Technician)
Passengers
6. Flight Lieutenant T.L. Lazarus
7.Flight Lieutenant M. Akinloye
8. Flying Officer I.M. Adeshina
9. Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F.
10. Master Warrant Officer Matini B.A.
11.. Warrant Officer Nuhu F.S.
12. Flight Sergeant James R.B.
13.. Flight Sergeant Mohammed A.I.
14. Sergeant Ani A.E.
15.. Sergeant Izibenikien S.I.
16. Sergeant Alafuka C.
17. Sergeant Mbadugha A.N.
18. Lance Corporal Ugwuba F.C.
19. Lance Corporal Eledan G.E.
20. Mrs Ezeh Nneka
21. Godstmine Tarabina
22. Joy Micheal
23. Sunday Micheal
24. Ukeme David
25. Gideon Omotola
Ejodame said the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
According to the statement, search-and-rescue procedures were immediately activated, with response efforts conducted in coordination with relevant authorities to locate and account for all persons on board.
He noted that while no survivors had been found, the CAS had directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.
“The Nigerian Air Force will continue to provide timely and verified updates as the investigation progresses and urges the public to refrain from speculation and the circulation of unverified information, while respecting the privacy and dignity of the affected families,” he said.
“A condolence register has also been opened at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Abuja, for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers who may wish to pay their respects and convey messages of sympathy to the families of the deceased and the Nigerian Air Force.”