Nigerian Air Force releases names of 25 crew members and passengers who died in Ondo military plane crash

The Nigerian Air Force has released the names of five crew members and 20 passengers who died in the crash involving its NAF 931 aircraft in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.

Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, made this known in a statement on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. 

According to the statement, the aircraft was carrying 25 people when it crashed while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

The five crew members identified in the statement are 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 are identified 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 were immediately activated following the accident but no survivor had been found. 

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, expressed condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the victims, describing the incident as “a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation.”

He assured the bereaved families of the Service’s full support during this difficult period. 

Aneke has also directed a comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The NAF urged the public to refrain from speculation and the circulation of unverified information, while appealing for respect for the privacy and dignity of the affected families.

“The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has expressed profound condolences to the families of the personnel and passengers who lost their lives following the accident involving Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR 42 aircraft, NAF 931, in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State,” the statement read.

“The CAS described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation, expressing heartfelt sympathies to the families, loved ones and colleagues of those who lost their lives. He assured the bereaved families of the Service’s full support during this difficult period.

“NAF 931 had 25 persons on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers. 

“The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred. 

“Search-and-rescue procedures were immediately activated, with response efforts conducted in coordination with relevant authorities to locate and account for all persons on board. No survivors have been found. The crew members were:

CREW1. 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)

PASSENGERS6. Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus 7. Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye8. Flying Officer IM Adeshina9. Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F10. Master Warrant Officer Matini BA11. Warrant Officer Nuhu FS12. Flight Sergeant James RB13. Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI14. Sergeant Ani AE15. Sergeant Izibenikien SI16. Sergeant Alafuka C17. Sergeant Mbadugha AN18. Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC19. Lance Corporal Eledan GE20. Mrs Ezeh Nneka21. Godstmine Tarabina22. Joy Micheal23. Sunday Micheal24. Ukeme David25. Gideon Omotola

“The CAS has directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident. 

“The Nigerian Air Force will continue to provide timely and verified updates as the investigation progresses and urges the public to refrain from speculation and the circulation of unverified information, while respecting the privacy and dignity of the affected families.

“A condolence register has also been opened at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Abuja, for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies, and other well-wishers who may wish to pay their respects and convey messages of sympathy to the families of the deceased and the Nigerian Air Force.”

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