The Nigerian Air Force has released the names of the 25 people killed in the crash of its ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, confirming that five crew members and 20 passengers were aboard the aircraft.
The aircraft crashed on Monday while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos. The NAF said search-and-rescue operations were activated immediately after the accident, but no survivor was found.
The release of the names on Tuesday provides the first official identification of those who died in the crash, which has triggered mourning across the Nigerian military and prompted calls for a full investigation into what caused the accident.
FULL LIST OF THE VICTIMS
According to the statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the five crew members were:
- 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
- Corporal Uguru HC, Aircraft Technician.
The 20 passengers were,
- 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
- Gideon Omotola
NAF CONFIRMS 25 PEOPLE WERE ON BOARD
The latest statement also resolves, at least for now, a major discrepancy in the casualty figures released after Monday’s crash.
On Monday, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members, making 32 people, were aboard the aircraft.
The Presidency subsequently referred to the same figure in its condolence statement.
However, the Nigerian Air Force’s Tuesday statement said NAF 931 had 25 people on board, consisting of five crew members and 20 passengers. The NAF has not publicly explained the difference between the earlier figure of 32 and the later figure of 25.
ValidViewNetwork reports that the discrepancy is significant because the latest NAF statement is the service’s direct account of the aircraft’s manifest and is the basis for the official release of the 25 names.
AIRCRAFT DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR
NAF 931 was travelling from Benin to Lagos when contact with the aircraft was lost. Air traffic controllers reportedly lost contact with the aircraft at about 9:13 a.m., after which efforts to re-establish communication failed.
The wreckage was subsequently located in a swampy area near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had earlier said residents and naval personnel heard a sound resembling an earth tremor and that some residents saw the aircraft descend into the swamp.
He also said no fire was initially observed at the crash site and that rescuers recovered parts of the aircraft, identification cards and military uniforms. Aiyedatiwa ordered the mobilisation of the state emergency management agency, health officials and security agencies to support the search and rescue operation.
TINUBU ORDERS INVESTIGATION
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The President also declared a three-day national mourning period for the Air Force personnel who died and directed that national flags be flown at half-mast.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, expressed condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of those killed. He also directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.
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The NAF said it would continue to release verified information as the investigation progresses and urged members of the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information.
WHAT CAUSED THE CRASH?
The cause of the crash has not been officially established. Governor Aiyedatiwa had suggested that a possible technical or mechanical problem could have been responsible for the loss of contact, while also saying that the available circumstances did not immediately point to bad weather.
His assessment, however, is not an official finding. The investigation ordered by the Chief of the Air Staff is expected to examine the aircraft’s condition, maintenance history, flight data, communications, weather conditions, crew actions and other factors that may have contributed to the accident.
ValidViewNetwork reports that the release of the victims’ names marks a significant step in accounting for those aboard NAF 931, but the central question of what caused the aircraft to crash remains unanswered.
The tragedy also highlights the importance of a transparent technical investigation that establishes the facts before conclusions are drawn about the circumstances surrounding the loss of military personnel and passengers.