NAF 931 Crash: Air Force Names 25 Crew and Passengers Lost

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has released the names of the personnel and passengers who died when its ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday.

 

The names were contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

 

The aircraft, with 25 people on board, five crew members and 20 passengers, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it went down.

 

 

According to the statement, the five crew members were:

 

- Sqn. Ldr MI Aburime (Flight Captain)

- Sqn. Ldr AP Man-Ugwueje (Co-pilot)

- Flt.-Lt. IS Bako (Co-pilot)

- Warrant Officer Abubakar A (Aircraft Technician)

- Cpl. Uguru HC (Aircraft Technician)

 

 

The 20 passengers were listed as:

 

- Flt.-Lt. TL Lazarus

- Flt.-Lt. 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

- Sgt. Ani AE

- Sgt. Izibenikien SI

- Sgt. Alafuka C

- Sgt. Mbadugha AN

- Lance Cpl. Ugwuba FC

- Lance Cpl. Eledan GE

- Mrs Ezeh Nneka

- Godstmine Tarabina

- Joy Micheal

- Sunday Micheal

- Ukeme David

- Gideon Omotola

 

 

Ejodame said the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, had extended his condolences to the families of the deceased personnel and passengers, describing the incident as a deeply painful moment for the NAF and the nation.

 

The CAS conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the families, loved ones and colleagues of those who lost their lives, and assured the bereaved of the service's full support through this difficult period.

 

He has also ordered a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.

 

The NAF said it would continue to provide timely and verified updates as the investigation progresses.

 

It urged members of the public to refrain from speculation and from circulating unverified information, and to respect the privacy and dignity of the affected families.

 

"A condolence register has been opened at Headquarters NAF, Abuja, for senior government officials, members of diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies, and other well-wishers who may wish to pay respects and convey messages of sympathy to families of the deceased and the NAF," Ejodame said.

 

News reports that search and rescue procedures were activated immediately after the crash, in coordination with relevant authorities, to locate and account for all persons on board.