The Nigerian Air Force on Tuesday, October 6th, 2026 confirmed that 25 persons died in the crash of its ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, and has released the list of casualties. adsbygoogle || []).push({});

The release corrects the earlier speculated crew members and passengers said to be 32, as victims of the crash.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, in a statement on Saturday, described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Air Force and the nation, and expressed profound condolences to the families of the personnel and passengers.

The aircraft had 25 persons on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, and was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.

According to the NAF, search-and-rescue procedures were immediately activated in coordination with relevant authorities, but no survivors were found.

The Air Force assured bereaved families of its full support during this difficult period.

The casualties are:

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

Air Marshal Aneke has directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.

The statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Tuesday, said the NAF will continue to provide timely and verified updates, and urged the public to refrain from speculation and circulation of unverified information while respecting the privacy and dignity of the affected families.

A condolence register has been opened at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force, Abuja, for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers.

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Ahead of the World Public Relations Forum( WPRF) scheduled for Abuja from November 15-21, 2026, members of Kogi State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations ( NIPR) on Saturday, organised a road show and public advocacy in Lokoja as part of preparations for the event

The Abuja Forum is an international event meant to be attended by Public Relations Practitioners from all over the world.

The Chairman of the Kogi State Chapter of the NIPR, ISmaila Isah who was represented by his Vice Chairman, Tado Asuloto, told journalists that the road show was meant to sensitize the public about the forthcoming forum.

He also explained that the road show was meant to draw members of the public closer to the Institute.

His words” We embarked on the road show to sensitize our members and the public on the forthcoming WPRF.

” The NIPR also engaged in the public advocacy with a view to drawing the institute closer to the public and enlighten the public more about our activities. The WPRF is coming up in Abuja later in the year and the event will be attended Public Relations Practitioners from the world over.”

The road show saw NIPR members in Kogi State including those from the Nigerian Union of Journalists( NUJ), the State Police Command, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Kogi State University, Kabba, Federal University, Lokoja, the Federal Roads Safety Commission( FRSC) , the Red Cross and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps NSCDC , among others, walking from the Ganaja Junction road through the Cenotaph to the Government House where they distributed leaflets on the Abuja event and also engaged the public in discussions.

The participants were also shown the first office of Lord Lugard located within the Government House premises and other historical structures in Lokoja.

The Director of Protocol in the Government House, Sulaiman Ibrahim welcomed the NIPR members on behalf of Governor Ahmed Ododo, assuring them of the Governor’s readiness to assist them always.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a three-day national mourning for Air Force personnel who died in the crash of a military aircraft on Saturday.

The President also directed that flags be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the fallen officers.

President Tinubu had earlier expressed profound sadness over the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 jet near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.

The aircraft, carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed.

In a condolence message to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and all officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, the President described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the entire nation.

“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation. Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” President Tinubu said.

He disclosed that the Chief of Air Staff had briefed him on the incident and that he has directed the Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash and prevent future occurrences.

“I commend the Nigerian Air Force for activating an immediate search and rescue operation following the accident,” he added.

According to the statement, the Nigerian Air Force will release the names of the officers after contacting their families.