Senate, Govs, ACF, Others Mourn NAF Crew, Passengers

By Samson Elijah, Tarkaa David,  Igho Oyoyo,  Abdullahi Olesin, Aza Msue

The Nigerian Senate, Governors, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Ministers and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) have mourned the victims of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The Senate postponed its two-day National Security Summit scheduled for October 12 and 13, 2026, following the fatal crash.

The Senate said the summit would be deferred until further notice in honour of the victims and in solidarity with their families and the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Senate Leader and Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the National Security Summit, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed the decision in a statement he personally signed on Tuesday.

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, expressed grief over the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft near Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, which claimed the lives of 32 passengers and crew members.

Akpabio, in a statement issued to journalists yesterday in Abuja by his Special Adviser, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, commiserated with President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, officers and men of the Armed Forces, as well as the families of the deceased.

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has condoled with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and families of personnel who lost their lives in the tragic aircraft crash in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The agency also pledged to intensify public sensitisation on the proper observance of the national flag, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of three days of national mourning and directive that the flag be flown at half-mast nationwide.

The Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, described the loss of the military personnel as a painful moment for the nation, saying their service was marked by courage, discipline, patriotism and commitment to national duty.

Also, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has mourned military personnel and other passengers killed in a Nigerian Air Force plane crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

The NGF chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in a statement, described the plane crash as “a deeply painful moment” for the country.

AbdulRazaq notes that military personnel routinely make significant sacrifices in challenging circumstances to protect the nation and its people.

The apex northern socio-cultural organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has mourned the tragic loss of 25 military personnel and the crew of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft that crashed at Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday.

In a statement issued by the ACF National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad Baba, on Tuesday, the forum welcomed the Government’s resolve to thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the tragedy and take necessary measures to avert such incidents by learning from the lessons.

ACF extended heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Nigeria, the Nigeria Air Force and the military establishment at large, as well as families, friends and other loved ones of the deceased.

The Minister of Defence General Christopher Musa (Rtd), the Minister of State for Defence Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, and the Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede have expressed sadness over the ill-fated NAF 931 plane crash that claimed the lives of seven crew members and 25 passengers onboard.

CAN Mourns Victims of Nigerian Air Force Aircraft Crash In Ondo

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed sadness over the crash involving a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft near Igbokoda in Ondo State.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement on Tuesday, extended condolences to the families of the deceased personnel, the Nigerian Air Force, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and the government and people of Ondo State.

Okoh also prayed for comfort for all those affected by the incident, particularly the bereaved families and colleagues of the deceased personnel.

He said the incident underscored the sacrifices made by Armed Forces personnel in the service of the country, noting that their families also bear the burden of those sacrifices.

“The men and women of our Armed Forces make enormous sacrifices in the service of our nation. Their families also bear the weight of those sacrifices,” he said.

CAN welcomed the decision to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, urging that the probe be thorough, professional and transparent.

The association also called for the investigation’s findings and safety recommendations to receive the necessary attention.

According to Okoh, every life lost in such circumstances is precious, stressing the need for continued efforts to strengthen aviation safety, aircraft maintenance, operational procedures and emergency response systems.

He said such measures were particularly important for personnel who undertake difficult assignments on behalf of the nation.

CAN further called on Nigerians to remember the affected families and the Nigerian Air Force in their prayers.

“May God grant eternal rest to the departed, comfort to the bereaved, and wisdom to all those entrusted with the responsibility of protecting lives,” Okoh said.

The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed on Monday, 5 October 2026, near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. A statement by the Director Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos with military personnel and some members of their families on board.

“On behalf of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Defence Headquarters wishes to extend heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all persons involved, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the entire Armed Forces family.

“This is indeed a painful loss to the entire Armed Forces and the nation at large. Our personnel give their all daily to keep Nigeria safe. Their courage and sacrifices will never be forgotten,” he said.

General Uba said that, in compliance with the directive of the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, an investigation will be conducted to ascertain the cause of the accident, while Search and Rescue efforts by the NAF, in collaboration with sister Services and emergency agencies, continue at the site.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) yesterday released the names of seven crew members and 20 passengers of the ill-fated NAF 931 that crashed on Monday, 5 October 2026, in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, expressed profound condolences to the families of the personnel and passengers who lost their lives following the accident.

The CAS, in a statement by the NAF Spokesman, Air Cdre Ehimen Ejodane, 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.

The statement said NAF 931 had 25 persons on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers. This is contrary to earlier figures released by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Festus Keyamo.

According to the statement, 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 coordinated with relevant authorities to locate and account for all persons on board. No survivors have been found.

Below are the names of the crew and passengers as released by the Nigerian Air Force Crew

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

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