Crashed aircraft in Ondo: NAF confirms 25 casualties, says no survivor found
By Kemi Aina
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that 25 people; five crew members and 20 passengers, were aboard its ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, which crashed in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday.
The Air Force said no survivor had been found as of Tuesday, while search and recovery operations continued at the crash site.
The aircraft was reportedly on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed into a swampy area near the Nigerian Navy Base in Igbokoda.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the NAF clarified the number of people aboard the aircraft, following earlier reports that different figures were involved.
The clarification came after the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said on Monday that preliminary information indicated that 32 people; 25 passengers and seven crew members, were aboard the aircraft.
However, the NAF said further verification of the manifest established that 25 people were on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers.
The five crew members were identified as 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 were identified as 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.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Mr Maurice Oripenaiye, said search and recovery operations were ongoing at the crash site.
Speaking to journalists in Igbokoda on Tuesday, Oripenaiye said personnel from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Red Cross, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ondo State Emergency Management Agency (ONSEMA) and local divers were participating in the operation.
He explained that the swampy terrain had made access to the crash site difficult, with local divers using canoes as the major means of reaching the area.
According to him, arrangements were being made to deploy heavy equipment to clear the waterways and facilitate access to the crash site.
He said HiTech Construction Company had been contacted to provide the equipment required for the operation.
Oripenaiye added that no body had been recovered as of the time of his briefing.
“This is also a national disaster. So, all necessary personnel, emergency authorities, including local divers, are on ground to search and recover the bodies,” he said.
He added that Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, had directed relevant emergency management agencies in the state to join the recovery operation.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, expressed condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the victims, describing the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation.
Aneke assured the bereaved families of the full support of the service and directed a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The NAF also urged members of the public to refrain from speculation and the circulation of unverified information, assuring that timely and verified updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.
A condolence register has also been opened at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja for government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, security chiefs and other well-wishers wishing to sympathise with the families of the deceased and the Nigerian Air Force.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum also expressed grief over the tragedy and extended condolences to the families of the victims and the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The crash has triggered a national mourning response, with President Bola Tinubu declaring three days of national mourning and directing that the national flag be flown at half-mast in honour of the deceased.
The names of the ATR jet Crew and Passengers are as follow : 👇
CREW
1. Squadron Leader MI Aburime (Flight Captain)
2. Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje (Co-pilot)
3. Flight Lieutenant IS Bako (Co-pilot)
4. Warrant Officer Abubakar A (Aircraft Technician)
5. Corporal Uguru HC (Aircraft Technician)
PASSENGERS
6. Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus
7. Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye
8. Flying Officer IM Adeshina
9. Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F
10. Master Warrant Officer Matini BA
11. Warrant Officer Nuhu FS
12. Flight Sergeant James RB
13. Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI
14. Sergeant Ani AE
15. Sergeant Izibenikien SI
16. Sergeant Alafuka C
17. Sergeant Mbadugha AN
18. Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC
19. Lance Corporal Eledan GE
20. Mrs Ezeh Nneka
21. Godstmine Tarabina
22. Joy Micheal
23. Sunday Micheal
24. Ukeme David
25. Gideon Omotola
