NAF to honour 25 Ondo plane crash victims November 26

The Nigerian Air Force will hold a memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony on Thursday, November 26, 2026, in honour of the 25 people who died in the October 5 crash of its NAF 931 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

The announcement was made on Sunday, November 15, 2026, in a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, ValidViewNetwork reports.

THE CEREMONY

The memorial service will be held at the NAF Base in Igbokoda, the site of the crash. The ceremony will include prayers, tributes, and a wreath-laying ceremony in honour of the deceased, who included five crew members and 20 passengers.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, is expected to lead the tributes. Families of the victims have been invited to attend.

ADVERTISEMENT

THE CONTEXT

The NAF ATR-42 aircraft, with registration number NAF 931, crashed on October 5, 2026, while on a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos.

The crash claimed the lives of all 25 people on board. The recovery operation was complicated by the swampy terrain and the aircraft’s submersion in the water.

The Cockpit Voice Recorder was recovered from the crash site, and investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing.

WHY IT MATTERS

A memorial service is a moment of collective grief. It is a chance for a nation to pause, to remember, and to honour those who died in service to their country.

But it is also a moment of accountability. The families of the 25 victims are still waiting for answers.

Why did the plane crash? What did the Cockpit Voice Recorder reveal? Will the investigation lead to changes that will prevent future tragedies?

The NAF has promised a thorough investigation. The memorial service is a sign of respect. But the families deserve more than prayers. They deserve answers. ValidViewNetwork reports.