PHOTOS: NAF Personnel, Passengers Killed In Ondo Aircraft Crash

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Share on XTelegram The crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Ondo State has left families, colleagues and the wider military community mourning the loss of those on board.

Recall that the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashed in Ondo State, killing all 25 people on board.

Five crew members and 20 passengers were among those who died in the crash, according to the list of victims released following the incident.

LEADERSHIP has compiled photos and details of the personnel and passengers who lost their lives in the crash.

Flight Sergeant Muhammed AI was enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force as a regimented member of Basic Military Training Course (BMTC) 31 and trained as a certified loadmaster.

He was promoted to the rank of Corporal on July 20, 2013, Sergeant in September 2020 and Flight Sergeant in September 2025.

He was a professional loadmaster, type-rated on the C-130 Hercules and stationed at the prestigious 301 Heavy Airlift Group (HAG) in Ikeja.

During his military career, he participated in several local and foreign missions, including United Nations peacekeeping missions in Liberia, South Sudan and The Gambia. He was described as a dedicated patriot whose military career was cut short by the crash.

Sergeant Aisekegbe Esther Ani, also identified as Sergeant Ani A.E., was officially identified by the Nigerian Air Force as one of the passengers who died in the NAF 931 ATR-42 aircraft crash.

She was a married woman with very young children. Her death left her family devastated, with her father, Odion Jackson Ani, questioning the circumstances surrounding the tragedy while mourning his daughter.

Sergeant Izibenikien Samuel I. was from Bayelsa and an indigene of Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

He held a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and was among four NAF engineers who had recently travelled to Abuja to complete documentation ahead of scheduled deployments for specialised foreign training courses.

Following the crash, his close friend and wedding best man, Joseph Oche, shared their final conversations on social media.

According to Oche, Sergeant Samuel sent him a message at about 7:00 am on the morning of the flight, approximately three hours before the aircraft crashed at about 10:00 am. During their final exchange, Samuel reportedly mentioned that the aircraft had developed a technical fault, which had initially delayed their journey from Benin to Lagos. He was subsequently identified as one of the passengers who died when NAF 931 crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje, Ondo State.

Sergeant Charles Alafuka C., also identified as Charles Alafuka of Ekeremor, was an engineer with the Nigerian Air Force who died in the October 5, 2026, aircraft crash.

He was from Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and was listed as number 16 on the Nigerian Air Force’s release of those involved in the accident.

Alafuka was among four specialist NAF engineers who had recently travelled to Abuja to complete documentation and final preparations before being deployed abroad for specialised foreign training courses. His death, alongside those of Sergeant Izibenikien Samuel and two other specialist engineers, occurred just days before the planned foreign training deployment.

Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje was one of the two co-pilots aboard Nigerian Air Force aircraft NAF 931, an ATR-42. He was commissioned officer and military pilot.

Man-Ugwueje attended Air Force Comprehensive School, Oyo State, from 2001 to 2007 before studying Civil Engineering at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna. During his time at the NDA, he was reportedly one of four authors of a research paper on waste management at a Nigerian Air Force base in Kaduna, published in the International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

He later pursued a career in aviation and, in April 2018, was among 14 Nigerian Air Force officers who received their pilot wings after completing flight training in Nigeria and South Africa.

The military officer came from a Nigerian Air Force family. His father, identified as Ugwueje, retired from the service as a Group Captain.

He married fellow NAF officer, Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle, in Abuja on September 19, 2026, just 16 days before the crash. Adekunle is the daughter of Wing Commander E.O. Adekunle, who died in the September 17, 2006, Nigerian Air Force Dornier 228 crash at Vandeikya, Benue State.

The 2006 crash claimed the lives of 13 military officers, including two wing commanders and several senior Army officers.

Flight Lieutenant I.S. Bako was one of the two co-pilots aboard Nigerian Air Force aircraft NAF 931, an ATR-42.

Bako joined the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a member of the 67th Regular Combatant Course in September 2015 and was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer in October 2020. He rose to the rank of Flight Lieutenant in September 2025.

Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas described Bako as an indigene of the state and a “gallant son”.

Bako was also in a relationship with Joanna Yakubu, who paid tribute to him following the crash. In a video and subsequent tribute shared after the incident, Yakubu recalled their last conversation and expressed shock and grief over his death.

“It actually Abuja you told me you are going to and you didn’t mention you will not come back. You left me,” she wrote.

Corporal Uguru H.C. was an aircraft technician and one of five crew members aboard Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft NAF 931.

Squadron Leader MI Aburime was the flight captain of Nigerian Air Force aircraft NAF 931, an ATR-42 that crashed.

In a tribute circulating on social media following the crash, Aburime joined the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a member of the 62nd Regular Combatant Course in 2010. He was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer on September 12, 2015. He rose through the ranks and was promoted to Squadron Leader in August 2025.

At the time of his death, Aburime was pursuing a master’s degree in Mass Communication at the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

Reports said he and his classmates had previously completed a postgraduate diploma together before proceeding to the master’s programme.

Despite the demands of his military duties, Aburime reportedly remained committed to his studies and continued attending classes. He was said to have been at the university on the Friday before the crash, where he sat for a make-up test.

Warrant Officer Abubakar A. was an aircraft technician and one of the five crew members aboard Nigerian Air Force aircraft NAF 931, an ATR-42 that crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State, during a routine flight from Benin to Lagos.

Flight Lieutenant Tarila “Tari” Lazarus was a Nigerian Air Force officer who hailed from the Angiama community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

He was a cherished son of the Ijaw nation. Following the crash, community leaders and loved ones mourned his death, describing him as a gallant officer whose legacy would continue to inspire his community.

Flight Lieutenant M. Akinloye was a Nigerian Air Force officer and pilot who also died in the October 5, 2026, crash.

October 5, 2026, was also his mother’s birthday. Akinloye had reportedly visited her at home to celebrate with her before leaving for the airfield.

Hours after the visit, he boarded NAF 931, which later crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State, killing all those on board.

Flying Officer Isa Muyiwa Adeshina was a Nigerian Air Force officer who died in the October 5, 2026, crash.

Before joining the military, Adeshina worked as a school vice principal. He graduated as the Best Graduating Cadet of Branch Commission Course 3 at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, on September 26, 2026. Just nine days after his graduation, Adeshina died in the crash alongside other passengers and crew members.

Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F. was a senior non-commissioned officer of the Nigerian Air Force who died in the October 5, 2026, crash involving NAF 931 in Ondo State.

As a Master Warrant Officer, Onwuka held a senior rank within the service, reflecting years of military experience and service.

His name was included in the flight manifest released by the Nigerian Air Force following the crash. However, limited publicly available information has emerged about his personal background and career.

Master Warrant Officer Matini BA was among the 20 passengers aboard Nigerian Air Force aircraft NAF 931, an ATR-42, which crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State, on October 5, 2026.

His name appeared as number 10 on the casualty list released by the Nigerian Air Force following the crash. He was identified in subsequent reports as a native of Guyuk Local Government Area of Adamawa State and described as a dedicated military officer who served the country with commitment.

The Whistler also reported that Matini was among four NAF engineers who had travelled to Abuja for documentation ahead of specialised foreign training.

His death was mourned by members of his community. In a Facebook post, a relative, Godwin Agwalba Lokoro, described his death as a great loss to the Nungura nation.

Lokoro wrote: “The Nungura nation is mourning the loss of Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Matini, who tragically lost his life in an ill-fated Nigerian Air Force (NAF) air crash. This is a great loss to the entire Nungurala Nation. This is heartbreaking.”

Warrant Officer Nuhu FS was among the 20 passengers aboard NAF 931. His name appeared as number 11 on the official casualty list released by the Nigerian Air Force after the crash. He was one of the 20 passengers on board, alongside five crew members.

At the time of filing, limited publicly available and independently verified information was available about Nuhu’s background. Details about his place of origin, years of service, unit, family and previous postings had not been disclosed in the official information released by the Nigerian Air Force.

Flight Sergeant James RB was among the 20 passengers who died in the NAF 931 crash in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State.

His name appeared as number 12 on the casualty list released by the Nigerian Air Force following the October 5, 2026, crash. He was a Nigerian Air Force service member travelling aboard the ATR-42 aircraft, which was conducting a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

At the time of filing, LEADERSHIP could not find sufficiently reliable publicly available photographs or biographical information about James. Further details about his background and service had not been publicly confirmed by the Nigerian Air Force.

Ukeme David was among the confirmed victims of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 931 aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on October 5, 2026.

David, a fresh graduate, had before the crash travelled to Benin City to complete his clearance ahead of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme. He was initially expected to return to Lagos on Wednesday, October 7, but reportedly changed his plans following a family request to return earlier and care for his sister while their mother was away.

He was said to be the only son of his parents.

David’s death has also left a woman believed to be his partner mourning. In a video circulating online, she said David had told her he was travelling to Abuja but did not indicate that the journey would be his last.

David was among the 20 passengers on board NAF 931, which had five crew members and was on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos when it crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area.

Gideon Omotola was among the civilian passengers who died in the October 5, 2026, crash involving Nigerian Air Force aircraft NAF 931 in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

Omotola was listed by the Nigerian Air Force among the 20 passengers aboard the ATR-42 aircraft, which was travelling from Benin City to Lagos when it crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area.

NAF did not disclose Omotola’s age or occupation in the information released after the crash. Her photograph, however, shows a young woman whose life was cut short in the tragedy as families and loved ones continue to mourn the victims.

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