Nigerian Air Force Names 25 People Killed in Ondo Military Aircraft Crash

The Nigerian Air Force on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, published the identities of the five crew members and 20 passengers killed in the crash of its NAF 931 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The disclosure was made in a statement by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF headquarters. The aircraft had 25 people aboard when it went down during a routine operation from Benin to Lagos, according to the statement. The 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 named as 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. NAF said search-and-rescue operations began right after the accident, but no survivors were located. Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke extended sympathies to the victims' families, colleagues and loved ones. He called the crash "a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation." He also promised the grieving families the Service's full support during the difficult period. Aneke instructed that a thorough investigation be carried out to establish what led to the crash. NAF asked the public not to speculate or spread unverified information, and to respect the privacy and dignity of the families involved. The statement said a condolence register had been opened at Nigerian Air Force Headquarters in Abuja for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers to pay respects and send messages of sympathy to the deceased's families and the Nigerian Air Force.