NAF Releases Names of 25 Officers Killed in Ondo Plane Crash — Full List

The Nigerian Air Force has released the identities of the 25 personnel who died in the crash of its ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, in Igbokoda area of Ondo State.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation, and expressed profound condolences to the families of the deceased.

The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, in a statement on Tuesday, said the aircraft had 25 persons on board — five crew members and 20 passengers — and was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred on Monday, October 5, 2026.

He said search-and-rescue procedures were immediately activated in coordination with relevant authorities, but no survivors were found.

CREW — 5:
1. Squadron Leader MI Aburime – Flight Captain
2. Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje – Co-pilot
3. Flight Lieutenant IS Bako – Co-pilot
4. Warrant Officer Abubakar A – Aircraft Technician
5. Corporal Uguru HC – Aircraft Technician

PASSENGERS — 20:
6. Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus
7. Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye
8. Flying Officer IM Adeshina
9. Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F
10. Master Warrant Officer Matini BA
11. Warrant Officer Nuhu FS
12. Flight Sergeant James RB
13. Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI
14. Sergeant Ani AE
15. Sergeant Izibenikien SI
16. Sergeant Alafuka C
17. Sergeant Mbadugha AN
18. Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC
19. Lance Corporal Eledan GE
20. Mrs Ezeh Nneka
21. Godstmine Tarabina
22. Joy Micheal
23. Sunday Micheal
24. Ukeme David
25. Gideon Omotola

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Air Marshal Aneke assured bereaved families of the Service’s full support and has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the crash.

President Bola Tinubu had earlier declared a three-day national mourning and ordered flags flown at half-mast nationwide.

The aircraft crashed near a naval base in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje LGA, with wreckage found in swampy terrain.