10 Things to Know About the NAF Aircraft Crash in Ondo State

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that all 25 people aboard an ATR 42 aircraft died when it crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. The aircraft, with tail number NAF 931, was travelling from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos on Monday, October 5, 2026, when contact was lost.

1. Crash site and confirmation: The aircraft disappeared from radar at about 9:13 a.m., according to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. Air traffic controllers could not make contact with the aircraft again. The wreckage was later located near the Naval Base in Igbokoda. Search and rescue operations were conducted by the NAF and other relevant agencies.

2. Aircraft and mission: The aircraft was an ATR 42, a twin engine turboprop used by the Nigerian military for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as the transportation of personnel and supplies. The NAF said NAF 931 was conducting a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.

3. Initial passenger figure: On the day of the accident, the Federal Ministry of Information said preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members, or 32 people in total, were aboard the aircraft.

4. Revised manifest: The NAF later reviewed the manifest and confirmed that 25 people were on board: five crew members and 20 passengers. The reason for the discrepancy between the initial and revised figures has not been publicly clarified.

5. No survivors: The NAF confirmed that there were no survivors. NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said search and rescue procedures were immediately activated and that the Service had released the names of the five crew members and 20 passengers who died.

6. Crew members: The five crew members were identified as Squadron Leader MI Aburime, Flight Captain; Squadron Leader AP Man Ugwueje, Copilot; Flight Lieutenant IS Bako, Copilot; Warrant Officer Abubakar A, Aircraft Technician; and Corporal Uguru HC, Aircraft Technician.

7. Passengers: The remaining 20 people were listed as passengers, including military personnel and civilians.

8. Presidential response: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed condolences to the families of the victims and directed the NAF to immediately begin a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident. He also commended the Air Force, first responders and the Ondo State Government for their response to the incident.

9. National mourning: President Tinubu declared three days of national mourning for the victims and directed that national flags be flown at half mast. The declaration followed the NAF confirmation that there were no survivors among the 25 people aboard NAF 931.

10. Investigation: The exact cause of the crash remains unknown. The NAF has ordered a comprehensive investigation. Authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation and rely on verified information as investigators work to establish what caused the aircraft to crash.

The Igbokoda crash is being investigated as a major military aviation tragedy in Nigeria. With the final NAF confirmed manifest putting the number of people aboard at 25, attention is now focused on determining the cause of the accident, recovering relevant evidence and supporting the families of those who lost their lives.

By Oshuniran Sheriff Ola