By Palma Ileye
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has released the names of the 25 personnel and passengers who died when an NAF ATR-42 aircraft crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The aircraft, with registration number NAF 931, crashed at about 9am on Monday while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos. It had five crew members and 20 passengers on board.
The NAF, in a statement by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame on Tuesday said no survivor had been found.
The 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 passengers were 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.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the crash as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation.
Aneke expressed condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the victims and assured them of the Service’s full support.
He also ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy and Marine Police have commenced operations to recover the bodies of the victims and wreckage of the aircraft from the swampy crash site near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
The Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohuagwu, who visited the scene with senior officers, confirmed that there were no survivors.
He said Marine Police personnel were working with the Navy and local residents in the recovery operation.
Residents who spoke with journalists said they heard a loud crash before the aircraft disappeared into the swamp.
Security personnel have restricted access to the crash site as recovery operations continue, while residents and sympathisers gathered around the area.
The NAF urged members of the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information as investigations continue.
The Service also said a condolence register had been opened at its headquarters in Abuja for government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers to pay their respects to the deceased and their families.
