The Nigeria Air Force on Tuesday, October 6, released the names of 25 passengers and crew members who died when its plane crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The plane took off from Benin City, Edo State and was heading for Lagos State when it crashed in the swamp in Igbokoda.
The names of the crew members were given 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 names of the 20 passengers were given 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.
Others were Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC, Lance Corporal Eledan GE, Mrs Ezeh Nneka, Godstmine Tarabina, Joy Michael, Sunday Michael, Ukeme David and Gideon Omotola
The Air Force added that the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, expressed profound condolences to the families of the personnel and passengers who lost their lives in the accident.
It added that search-and-rescue procedures were immediately activated, with response efforts conducted in coordination with relevant authorities to locate and account for all persons on board, stating that no survivors were found.
“The Chief of Air Staff has directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.
“The Nigerian Air Force will continue to provide timely and verified updates as the investigation progresses and urges the public to refrain from speculation and the circulation of unverified information, while respecting the privacy and dignity of the affected families,” the Air Force said in a statement on Tuesday.
