Nigerian Air Force Confirms 25 Dead in NAF 931 Crash

Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed on Monday October 5, 2026. The crash occurred in the Igbokoda  area of Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State in Nigeria. The aircraft has bee identified as NAF 931, and was operated by the Nigerian Air Force.   

According to a statement released by Festus Keyamo, Minister of Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the aircraft was on its routine mission travelling from Benin City, Edo State to Lagos. The aircraft lost contact with the Air traffic controllers around 9:13 AM shortly after the take off from Benin city. 

The Minister also mentioned that the crashed aircraft was not under the jurisdiction of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development authority. He further mentioned that the ministry is interested in helping the Nigeria Air Force in  the search and rescue operation. 

Keyamo stated, “ I have just spoken to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sunday Kelvin Aneke and pledged our total cooperation and assistance in the search and rescue efforts ongoing”. The Nigerian Air Force organization also shared the details and names of the deceased. The NAF also confirmed that no one survived the crash.  

Name of five Crew Members were: 

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)

Names of twenty passengers were: 

1. Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus 
2. Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye 
3. Flying Officer IM Adeshina
4. Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F  
5. Master Warrant Officer Matini BA 
6. Warrant Officer Nuhu FS 
7. Flight Sergeant James RB 
8. Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI 
9. Sergeant Ani AE 
10. Sergeant Izibenikien SI 
11. Sergeant Alafuka C 
12. Sergeant Mbadugha AN 
13. Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC 
14. Lance Corporal Eledan GE 
15. Mrs Ezeh Nneka 
16. Godstmine Tarabina 
17. Joy Micheal 
18. Sunday Micheal 
19. Ukeme David 
20. Gideon Omotola 

Notably, Air Marshall Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Chief of the Air Staff  expressed his profound condolences to the deceased families for their lifetime loss.