Bright Sunday
A Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday, October 5, 2026, killing all 25 passengers on board.
The victims comprised 20 passengers and five crew members, according to the Nigerian Air Force. The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The Nigerian Air Force said 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. No survivors have been found.
According to Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft at about 9:13 a.m. local time after it departed Benin for Lagos. The aircraft was subsequently confirmed to have crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The number of persons aboard the aircraft was initially reported as 32, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members. However, the Nigerian Air Force later confirmed that 25 persons; 20 passengers and five crew members were on board.
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; and Corporal Uguru HC, Aircraft Technician.
The 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 and Gideon Omotola.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a thorough investigation into the crash and expressed condolences to the families of the victims. He also declared three days of national mourning and directed that flags be flown at half-mast throughout the country as a mark of respect for the deceased.
The Nigerian Air Force urged members of the public to refrain from speculation and the circulation of unverified information while respecting the privacy and dignity of the affected families. It also announced that a condolence register had been opened at the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters in Abuja for government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers to pay their respects.
