….Five crew members, 20 passengers die as ATR 42 crashes during routine mission
Daud Olatunji
The Nigerian Air Force has released the identities of the 25 people killed in the crash of an NAF ATR 42 aircraft in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The aircraft, identified as NAF 931, crashed on Monday while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The Nigerian Air Force said the aircraft had five crew members and 20 passengers on board, adding that no survivor had been found after the crash.
The NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed the identities of the victims in a statement on Tuesday, while confirming the activation of search-and-rescue operations immediately after the incident.
Those killed included the flight captain, Squadron Leader MI Aburime; co-pilots, Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje and Flight Lieutenant IS Bako; and aircraft technicians, Warrant Officer Abubakar A and Corporal Uguru HC.
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.
The tragedy has thrown the Nigerian Air Force and the families of the victims into mourning, with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, describing the incident as a deeply painful moment for the service and the country.
Aneke expressed condolences to the families, relatives, friends and colleagues of the deceased and assured them of the Nigerian Air Force’s full support during the period of grief.
He also directed a comprehensive investigation into the crash to determine the circumstances that led to the fatal incident.
The NAF said the investigation would establish what happened to the aircraft before the crash and provide necessary findings following the tragedy.
Meanwhile, a condolence register has been opened at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other sympathisers wishing to pay their respects to the deceased.
The crash occurred as the aircraft was undertaking a routine mission, with search-and-rescue efforts immediately launched in collaboration with relevant authorities.
The NAF said the identities of the victims were released following the necessary confirmation process.
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