Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has opened a condolence register at its headquarters in Abuja following the fatal crash of its ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, with the service confirming that 25 people — five crew members and 20 passengers — died in the accident.
The condolence register, opened on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, is intended to allow senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers to pay their respects to the deceased and convey messages of sympathy to their families and the Nigerian Air Force.
The development came as the Air Force released the identities of all 25 people who were on board NAF 931, correcting an earlier preliminary figure of 32 occupants provided by government officials after the aircraft went down on Monday.
NAF said no survivors have been found.
Air Force Confirms 25 Deaths
The Nigerian Air Force said NAF 931, an ATR-42 aircraft, had 25 people on board when it crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The aircraft was conducting a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
According to the latest statement issued by the Air Force, those aboard comprised five crew members and 20 passengers. Search-and-rescue procedures were activated after the aircraft was reported missing, with relevant authorities involved in efforts to locate the aircraft and account for everyone on board.
The NAF has now confirmed that all 25 people died.
The service has also urged members of the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information while the investigation continues.
Condolence Register Opened in Abuja
The condolence register is located at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja.
The register provides an official avenue for government representatives, members of Nigeria’s diplomatic community, security chiefs and other sympathisers to express condolences following the loss of the personnel and passengers.
The opening of the register comes as the country observes a period of mourning declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the crash.
The President has declared three days of national mourning and directed that Nigerian flags be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the deceased Air Force personnel. He has also ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The President described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the nation and expressed condolences to the families of those who died.
NAF Releases Names of Those Who Died
The Nigerian Air Force has released the names of the five crew members and 20 passengers who were on board NAF 931.
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
- 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
- Gideon Omotola
The release of the names represents an important step in the official accounting of those who died and provides families, colleagues and members of the public with confirmed information about the victims.
The Air Force has also asked the public to respect the privacy and dignity of the affected families.
Earlier Figure of 32 Was Preliminary
The latest NAF figure is lower than the preliminary figure of 32 people given by officials shortly after the crash.
On Monday, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard the aircraft.
That information produced an initial reported total of 32 people.
However, the Nigerian Air Force’s subsequent official statement said NAF 931 had 25 people on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers. The service then released the names corresponding to that figure.
The discrepancy is significant because casualty figures in aviation accidents should ultimately be based on the verified passenger and crew manifest.
For Weng Global, the latest figure of 25 deaths is the official number now confirmed by the Nigerian Air Force.
The earlier figure of 32 should therefore be treated as preliminary information rather than the final confirmed number.
What Happened to NAF 931?
The aircraft was travelling from Benin to Lagos on a routine mission when it crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
Earlier information from aviation authorities indicated that communication with the aircraft was lost after it departed Benin.
Search-and-rescue teams were subsequently deployed, and the wreckage was located in the Igbokoda area.
The precise circumstances that caused the aircraft to crash remain unknown.
The Nigerian Air Force has not attributed the accident to mechanical failure, weather, pilot error, sabotage or any other specific cause.
That means speculation about the cause should be avoided until investigators have completed their work.
Comprehensive Investigation Ordered
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has directed a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The investigation is expected to establish what happened before the aircraft went down and determine whether any factors contributed to the accident.
Investigators may examine the aircraft’s maintenance records, operational history, flight information, weather conditions, communications, technical systems and other relevant evidence.
However, no particular cause should be treated as established until investigators formally release their findings.
The Air Force said it would provide timely and verified information as the investigation progresses.
The service also specifically warned against speculation and the spread of unverified information.
Chief of Air Staff Mourns Victims
Air Marshal Aneke expressed condolences to the families, loved ones and colleagues of those who died.
The Chief of the Air Staff described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the country.
He also assured the bereaved families of the service’s support during the difficult period.
The response reflects the broader impact of the crash on the military community.
The deaths involve serving personnel whose responsibilities included supporting Nigerian Air Force operations, as well as passengers travelling aboard the aircraft.
Their loss has therefore affected not only their immediate families but also colleagues and the wider Armed Forces.
National Mourning Follows Military Tragedy
The crash has triggered a wider national mourning process.
President Tinubu’s decision to declare three days of national mourning places the incident among the tragedies that have prompted a formal nationwide response.
The President also directed that flags be flown at half-mast during the mourning period.
Beyond the symbolic response, the investigation into the crash will be important for determining whether there are lessons that can improve military aviation safety.
Military aircraft operate under demanding conditions and perform missions that are essential to national security.
Ensuring that aircraft, crews and support systems operate safely is therefore both a military and national responsibility.
Why the Condolence Register Matters
The condolence register provides a formal channel for public officials and other stakeholders to express sympathy at a time when the identities of the victims have now been officially released.
For families, however, the tragedy is more personal than the national mourning ceremonies suggest.
Behind every military uniform is a family, including spouses, children, parents, siblings and other relatives.
The Air Force’s commitment to supporting the affected families will therefore remain an important part of the response.
The release of the victims’ names also allows colleagues and communities connected to them to begin the process of mourning with confirmed information.
Aviation Safety Questions Remain
The crash is also likely to generate questions about the safety and operational condition of Nigerian military aircraft.
Those questions should be answered through the formal investigation rather than through assumptions based on the accident alone.
Investigators will need to determine whether the aircraft experienced a technical problem, whether there were operational factors involved or whether another circumstance contributed to the crash.
The findings could have implications for aircraft maintenance, crew procedures, operational planning and broader military aviation safety.
Until those findings are released, the cause remains undetermined.
What Happens Next
The Nigerian Air Force’s investigation is now the central next step.
Authorities will seek to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident and determine the factors that led to the loss of the aircraft and everyone aboard.
The Air Force is also expected to continue providing verified information as the investigation progresses.
The families of the victims will remain central to the response, with authorities expected to continue providing assistance and support.
The condolence register in Abuja will also remain an official point for expressions of sympathy from government officials, diplomatic representatives, security agencies and other well-wishers.
Meanwhile, the three-day national mourning period declared by President Tinubu will continue as the country honours those who died.
What Readers Should Know
The most important confirmed development is that the Nigerian Air Force has officially confirmed 25 deaths in the Ondo aircraft crash and opened a condolence register at its headquarters in Abuja.
The victims comprised five crew members and 20 passengers aboard ATR-42 aircraft NAF 931.
The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
An earlier preliminary figure put the number of people aboard at 32, but the latest NAF statement has established the official figure at 25 and released the names of those who died.
President Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning and ordered a thorough investigation.
The Chief of the Air Staff has separately directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
For now, the cause of the accident remains unknown.
The focus is therefore on supporting the bereaved families, respecting the victims’ dignity, completing the investigation and ensuring that verified information is communicated to the public.
The findings of the investigation will be important not only for determining what happened to NAF 931 but also for identifying any lessons that could help prevent similar military aviation tragedies in the future.
Weng Global — Stories beyond borders
Image Recommendation
Use an officially supplied or properly licensed photograph of the Nigerian Air Force condolence register at NAF Headquarters in Abuja, the NAF 931 aircraft before the accident, or a respectful official photograph of Nigerian Air Force personnel. Avoid graphic images of the crash site or victims.
Weng Global – stories beyond borders
Sources
Nigerian Air Force
State House, Abuja
Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development
Voice of Nigeria
Punch
Premium Times
BusinessDay
Vanguard
