The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that all 25 people aboard the military aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, died in the accident, releasing the names of the five crew members and 20 passengers.
The NAF’s latest statement also revised the number of people initially reported to have been aboard the aircraft. An earlier update by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had put the number at 32, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members.
The Air Force said its reviewed manifest showed that 25 people were actually aboard the aircraft, identified as NAF 931, when it crashed during a routine flight from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos.
“No survivors have been found,” the NAF said.
The five crew members were identified as Squadron Leader M.I. Aburime, the flight captain; Squadron Leader A.P. Man-Ugwueje, co-pilot; Flight Lieutenant I.S. Bako, co-pilot; Warrant Officer A. Abubakar, aircraft technician; and Corporal H.C. Uguru, aircraft technician.
The 20 passengers were identified as Flight Lieutenant T.L. Lazarus, Flight Lieutenant M. Akinloye, Flying Officer I.M. Adeshina, Master Warrant Officer F. Onwuka, Master Warrant Officer B.A. Matini, Warrant Officer F.S. Nuhu, Flight Sergeant R.B. James, Flight Sergeant A.I. Mohammed, Sergeant A.E. Ani and Sergeant S.I. Izibenikien.
The other passengers were Sergeant C. Alafuka, Sergeant A.N. Mbadugha, Lance Corporal F.C. Ugwuba, Lance Corporal G.E. Eledan, Mrs Ezeh Nneka, Godstmine Tarabina, Joy Micheal, Sunday Micheal, Ukeme David and Gideon Omotola.
The aircraft crashed in a swampy area around Igbokoda in Ondo State after air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13 a.m. while it was travelling from Benin to Lagos.
The NAF said search and rescue procedures were activated immediately after the aircraft disappeared and that response efforts were coordinated with relevant authorities to locate the wreckage and account for those on board.
Following confirmation of the fatalities, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, directed a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier ordered a thorough investigation into the crash and expressed condolences to the families of those who died.
The NAF urged members of the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information, while asking people to respect the privacy and dignity of the victims’ families.
A condolence register has been opened at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja for government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, security chiefs and other well-wishers to pay their respects.
The aircraft involved was an ATR-42, a twin-engine turboprop used by the NAF for maritime patrol, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and search-and-rescue missions. The Air Force previously operated two ATR-42-500MP aircraft, NAF 930 and NAF 931.
The aircraft were acquired from Italian aerospace company Alenia Aeronautica under a contract reportedly signed in 2007, with NAF 930 delivered in 2009 and NAF 931 in 2010.
NAF 931 was operated by the 81 Air Maritime Group based in Benin City and was equipped for surveillance and maritime operations.
The NAF has not yet provided an explanation for the difference between the initial figure of 32 people announced by the Minister of Aviation and the subsequently confirmed manifest of 25 people.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash and provide further information on what led to the loss of the aircraft and all those aboard.
