The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has officially released the names of the 25 victims who tragically perished in Monday’s devastating military air crash in Ondo State.
While initial tracking reports and ministerial statements yesterday indicated there were 32 people on board, the NAF’s definitive flight manifest has corrected the record—confirming a final toll of 20 passengers and 5 crew members, with no survivors.
The tragedy occurred on October 5, 2026, when a NAF 931 ATR 42 aircraft went down in the swampy terrains of Igbokoda while on a routine flight from Benin to Lagos.
In a statement authorized by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the names of the deceased were made public by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the Director of Public Relations and Information.
The official manifest of the fallen heroes and passengers includes:
- Squadron Leader M.I. Aburime (Flight Captain)
- Squadron Leader A.P. Man-Ugwueje (Co-pilot)
- Flight Lieutenant I.S. Bako (Co-pilot)
- Warrant Officer Abubakar A. (Aircraft Technician)
- Corporal Uguru H.C. (Aircraft Technician)
The Passengers
- Flight Lieutenant T.L. Lazarus
- Flight Lieutenant M. Akinloye
- Flying Officer I.M. Adeshina
- Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F.
- Master Warrant Officer Matini B.A.
- Warrant Officer Nuhu F.S.
- Flight Sergeant James R.B.
- Flight Sergeant Mohammed A.I.
- Sergeant Ani A.E.
- Sergeant Izibenikien S.I.
- Sergeant Alafuka C.
- Sergeant Mbadugha A.N.
- Lance Corporal Ugwuba F.C.
- Lance Corporal Eledan G.E.
- Mrs. Ezeh Nneka
- Godstime Tarabina
- Joy Michael
- Sunday Michael
- Ukeme David
- Gideon Omotola
Reacting to the tragedy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning to honor the victims. The President has also directed military leadership to launch an immediate, comprehensive investigation into the cause of the disaster.
The Air Force has urged the public to avoid speculation and desist from spreading unverified information on social media. The Service additionally appealed for absolute privacy and dignity for the grieving families during this agonizing period.
A condolence register has now been opened at the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters in Abuja for senior government officials, the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies, and well-wishers paying their respects.
