Squadron Leader Ahamefule Aham Man-Ugwueje, one of the pilots killed in the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State, died just 16 days after his wedding to fellow Air Force officer, Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle.

Man-Ugwueje and Adekunle got married in an elaborate ceremony in Abuja on September 19, 2026, less than three weeks before the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday.

Also read: NAF names 25 victims of Ondo aircraft crash

The wedding details were confirmed through the couple’s invitation and photographs and videos shared by vendors involved in the ceremony.

The images showed the couple celebrating their union surrounded by family, friends and colleagues.

The wedding ceremony was held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Masters Place, in Utako, Abuja, at 11am, while the reception followed at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre along the Asokoro Expressway at 3pm.

The wedding invitation identified Man-Ugwueje as the son of retired Group Captain Man-Ugwueje.

Information on his Facebook profile listed Umuahia, Abia State, as his hometown and Abuja as his current city, according to checks reported by PUNCH.

One of the videographers at the wedding, Beejay Creates, later shared footage from the ceremony with the caption, “Love in every word”, identifying the couple as “BRIDE DAMILOLA AND GROOM AHAMEFULE”.

Less than three weeks later, the newlywed pilot was among 25 people who died when NAF 931 crashed during a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

The Nigerian Air Force confirmed on Tuesday that five crew members and 20 passengers were aboard the aircraft and that there were no survivors. Man-Ugwueje was identified as one of the two co-pilots.

The other crew members were Squadron Leader MI Aburime, the flight captain; Flight Lieutenant IS Bako, a co-pilot; Warrant Officer Abubakar A, an aircraft technician; and Corporal Uguru HC, also an aircraft technician.

The crash occurred in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area, after air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft while it was travelling towards Lagos.

The wreckage was later located near a naval base, with search and rescue personnel mobilised to the area.

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said residents heard a loud sound before seeing the aircraft descend into a swampy area.

He said the Nigerian Navy, emergency officials, local residents and members of the Amotekun Corps joined the search effort, but no survivor was found.

The Nigerian Air Force has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the accident as “a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation” and extended condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those killed.

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

The crash has drawn national attention, particularly after the NAF released the identities of all 25 victims.

The release corrected earlier official figures that had put the number of people aboard the aircraft at 32, with the Air Force later confirming that the manifest comprised 25 people.

For Man-Ugwueje’s family, however, the official casualty figure carries a deeply personal meaning.

The pilot had only recently begun married life with Adekunle when the routine military mission ended in tragedy.

Photographs from their September 19 wedding now stand in stark contrast to the news of his death, capturing a celebration that took place just over two weeks before the crash.

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

Also read: NAF names 25 victims of Ondo aircraft crash

As investigators work to determine what caused NAF 931 to crash, Man-Ugwueje is being remembered not only as a military pilot but also as a newlywed whose marriage had barely begun before his life was cut short.