Ondo Air-Crash: NAF Releases Full List of 25 Victims

By: (I.T) Samuel Adeolu

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has released the full names of the 25 people who died in the crash involving its ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.

The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos when the accident occurred on Monday. The NAF confirmed that there were 25 people on board — five crew members and 20 passengers — and that no survivor was found.

The release followed an earlier discrepancy over the number of people aboard the aircraft, with the initial figure given by government officials standing at 32. The Nigerian Air Force later reviewed the manifest and confirmed the final number as 25.

Full List of Victims

Crew Members

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

The names were released by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, who said the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, had expressed condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of those who died.

Investigation Underway

The Chief of the Air Staff has ordered a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The NAF said it would continue to provide verified information as the investigation progresses and urged members of the public to avoid speculation or the circulation of unconfirmed reports.

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 to pay their respects to the deceased and their families.

The crash has plunged the Nigerian Air Force and the wider nation into mourning as authorities work to establish what led to the fatal incident.

The cause of the crash has not yet been established, and the investigation remains ongoing.