NAF 931 Crash: Full Story of the Nigerian Air Force Officers Who Died in Ondo

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NAF 931 Crash: Full Story of the Nigerian Air Force Officers Who Died in Ondo


Nigeria is mourning the loss of 25 people who died after a Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday, October 5, 2026.


The aircraft, identified as NAF 931, was an ATR-42 operated by the Nigerian Air Force. It was carrying military personnel and other passengers on a routine mission from Benin City in Edo State to Lagos when it crashed in a swampy area close to a naval base in Igbokoda.


The Nigerian Air Force confirmed on Tuesday that everyone on board had died. According to the latest official statement, the aircraft had 25 people on board: five crew members and 20 passengers. No survivor has been found.


How the Tragedy Happened


The aircraft departed Benin City as part of what authorities described as a routine mission to Lagos.


According to reports from the air traffic control system, communication with the aircraft was established after take-off but was subsequently lost. A senior air traffic controller told Punch that contact with the aircraft was lost at approximately 9:13 a.m. Nigerian time. Attempts to re-establish communication were unsuccessful.


The aircraft was later located in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, where it had crashed into a swamp close to a river and naval facility.


Local reports indicated that the area was waterlogged at the time, making access to the crash location difficult. Search-and-rescue teams were immediately activated after the aircraft disappeared.


The Nigerian Air Force said the search operation was conducted in cooperation with relevant authorities to locate and account for everyone on board. However, no survivors were found.


Who Were the Victims?


The Nigerian Air Force has released the names of the 25 people who died.


The five crew members were 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 Abubakar A., aircraft technician; and Corporal Uguru H.C., aircraft technician.


Among the passengers were Flight Lieutenant T.L. Lazarus, Flight Lieutenant M. Akinloye, Flying Officer I.M. Adeshina, Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F., Master Warrant Officer Matini B.A., Warrant Officer Nuhu F.S., Flight Sergeant James R.B., Flight Sergeant Mohammed A.I., Sergeant Ani A.E., Sergeant Izibenikien S.I., Sergeant Alafuka C., Sergeant Mbadugha A.N., Lance Corporal Ugwuba F.C. and Lance Corporal Eledan G.E.


Four civilians were also listed among the passengers: Mrs Ezeh Nneka, Godstmine Tarabina, Joy Micheal, Sunday Micheal, Ukeme David and Gideon Omotola, according to the official list.


One of the victims, Squadron Leader Ahamefule Aham Man-Ugwueje, has received particular attention because he had reportedly married fellow Nigerian Air Force officer Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle only 16 days before the crash. Their wedding took place in Abuja on September 19, 2026.


Confusion Over the Number of People on Board


There was initially uncertainty over the number of people aboard the aircraft.


On Monday, some government statements reported that 32 people were on the aircraft. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's initial statement also referred to 32 people.


However, after reviewing the manifest, the Nigerian Air Force officially confirmed on Tuesday that the aircraft had 25 people — five crew members and 20 passengers.


The latest figure from the Nigerian Air Force should therefore be regarded as the current official casualty figure.


Investigation Into the Crash


The exact cause of the crash has not yet been established.


President Tinubu ordered the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. The Defence Headquarters has also confirmed that an investigation has been ordered to determine what caused the aircraft to crash and to strengthen aviation safety procedures.


The Nigerian Air Force has urged members of the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information while the investigation continues.


Authorities are expected to examine the aircraft's final communications, flight data, weather conditions, maintenance history, crew actions and other evidence that could help investigators determine what happened during the final stage of the flight.


Nigeria Declares National Mourning


Following the tragedy, President Tinubu declared three days of national mourning for the personnel who died.


He also directed that Nigerian flags be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of those who lost their lives.


The President described the incident as a painful moment for Nigeria's Armed Forces and said the sacrifice of military personnel who serve the country should not be forgotten.


The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, expressed condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the victims and assured the affected families of the Nigerian Air Force's support.


A condolence register has also been opened at Nigerian Air Force Headquarters in Abuja.


For the families of the 25 victims, however, the national mourning is only the beginning of a much more personal loss. As investigators work to establish what happened to NAF 931, Nigeria continues to remember the officers, airmen and civilians who lost their lives while travelling on what was supposed to be a routine journey.


The investigation is expected to provide more answers about the final moments of the aircraft and whether any factors could have prevented the tragedy.

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