The Nigerian Air Force has released the names of the 25 people killed in the NAF Ondo aircraft crash, confirming that five crew members and 20 passengers were on board the ATR-42 aircraft when it crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.

The aircraft, with registration number NAF 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred on Monday.

Also read: Tinubu declares three-day national mourning for NAF crash victims

Search-and-rescue operations were immediately activated, but the Nigerian Air Force said no survivors were found.

The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, released the names on Tuesday as the Service formally accounted for those who died in the crash.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, expressed condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the victims, describing the incident as “a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation.”

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
Corporal Uguru HC – Aircraft Technician

Passengers

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

The NAF said the aircraft had 25 people on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, when it crashed during the routine flight from Benin to Lagos.

The Service said search-and-rescue procedures were activated immediately, with response efforts conducted alongside relevant authorities to locate and account for everyone on board.

“No survivors have been found,” the NAF said.

The accident has prompted an investigation into what caused the aircraft to crash.

The Chief of the Air Staff has directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The NAF has urged the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information while the investigation continues.

“The Nigerian Air Force will continue to provide timely and verified updates as the investigation progresses,” the Service said, while appealing to the public to respect the privacy and dignity of the affected families.

President Bola Tinubu has also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased military personnel and other victims of the crash, while directing that the circumstances surrounding the accident be thoroughly investigated.

The crash has renewed attention on military aviation safety in Nigeria, particularly the maintenance and operational challenges associated with aircraft used for transport and other specialised missions.

For the families of those aboard NAF 931, however, the focus remains on the loss of their loved ones.

The Nigerian Air Force has opened a condolence register at its headquarters in Abuja for government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers who wish to pay their respects to the deceased and their families.

Also read: Tinubu declares three-day national mourning for NAF crash victims

As the investigation begins, authorities are expected to establish what happened during the aircraft’s final moments and determine whether any factors could have contributed to the fatal crash.