Tragedy Strikes: Ondo Military Aircraft Crash Claims 32 Lives, Nation Mourns Victims

A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft, identified by registration number NAF 931, crashed on Monday in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. The incident, which occurred near a Naval Base in a swampy terrain, resulted in the tragic loss of all persons on board.

Initial reports from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members, totaling 32 individuals, were aboard the aircraft. However, the Nigerian Air Force later confirmed that 25 persons, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, were on board the aircraft. Search and rescue operations were immediately activated, with personnel from the NAF, other military services, emergency response agencies, and local residents joining efforts. Despite the extensive search, no survivors were found.

The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it around 9:13 am. All attempts to establish radio communication proved futile, and subsequent information confirmed the crash. Eyewitnesses described hearing a sound akin to thunder or an earth tremor before the aircraft went down into the swamp. Rescuers found wreckage, parts of the aircraft, identity cards, and military uniforms scattered across the area, with some human remains found inside the water, posing significant challenges due to the difficult and waterlogged terrain.

In response to the tragedy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed profound sadness and ordered a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences. He also declared three days of national mourning, directing that flags be flown at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect for the deceased. The President extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, also conveyed their heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and the Armed Forces community. Air Marshal Aneke described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the NAF and the nation, assuring families of the Service’s full support. A condolence register has been opened at NAF Headquarters in Abuja. The NAF has pledged to provide timely and verified updates as the investigation progresses, urging the public to refrain from speculation.

The crashed aircraft, an ATR 42 500MP Maritime Patrol model, NAF 931, was operated by the 81 Air Maritime Group in Benin City. These aircraft are utilized for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations, maritime patrol, and limited transport duties. The NAF acquired two such ATR 42 aircraft under a $73 million agreement signed in 2007 with Alenia Aeronautica (now Leonardo), with delivery in December 2010. Military sources revealed that NAF 931 had recently returned to Nigeria in December 2024 after undergoing Periodic Depot Maintenance in Germany between January 2022 and December 2024.

It was clarified by Minister Keyamo that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have no regulatory control over military aircraft. However, both the NCAA and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) offered technical expertise and assistance for the ongoing search, rescue, and investigation efforts, if formally requested by the NAF.

The cause of the crash remains unknown, and a thorough investigation is underway as directed by President Tinubu, the Chief of Air Staff, and the Minister of Defence. Authorities have appealed to the public to avoid speculation and respect the privacy of the affected families during this difficult time. The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, also mobilised state emergency and health agencies to support the operations and ordered the crash site to be cordoned off.

The Nigerian Air Force released the names of the five crew members: 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 20 passengers who perished 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, and Gideon Omotola.