25 Killed as Nigerian Air Force Plane Crashes in Ondo State Swamp

Military Aircraft Crashes in Ondo State Swamp

A Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft with tail number NGR 931 crashed in a swamp near a naval base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday, killing all 25 people on board with no survivors found. [3] The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos and disappeared from radar at about 9:13 a.m., with search-and-rescue operations immediately activated. [2] The plane came down in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State after air traffic controllers lost contact with it shortly after takeoff. [4] Officials confirmed that the aircraft was found submerged under water at the site, where smoke was visible and items such as clothes and shoes were recovered. [5] The incident involved an ATR-42 aircraft, which manufacturers state carries between 30 and 50 passengers. [4]

President Tinubu Declares National Mourning

President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning, ordered flags flown at half-mast nationwide, and directed a thorough investigation into the crash cause. [1] In a statement, the president said the loss was a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the nation, adding that Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria and that their sacrifice will never be forgotten. [4] Tinubu commiserated with the families of the deceased, noting that behind every uniform is a family including a spouse, a child, a parent, a brother or sister who expected their loved one home. [1] He stated that Nigeria grieves with them and that the Chief of Air Staff had briefed him on the incident. [1] The president also said he had directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences. [1]

Names of Crew and Passengers Released

The Nigerian Air Force released the names of the five crew members and 20 passengers, all military personnel except for five civilians, and confirmed the Chief of Air Staff ordered a comprehensive probe. [3] Government officials had initially said 32 people were on board, but the manifest was reviewed to confirm 25 persons comprising five crew members and 20 passengers. [3] The crew members were 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). [3] The passengers were 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, and Gideon Omotola. [3] The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, expressed profound condolences to the families and assured them of the service’s full support. [3]

Condolences from Officials and Minister

Government officials including Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari expressed condolences to the families, the president, and the Air Force, praying for strength and peace for the departed. [2] In a statement, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, commiserated with President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Air Force over the crash. [2] Kyari extended sympathies to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, as well as officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force. [2] He prayed that Almighty God grants the bereaved families the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss and that the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace. [2] The president offered his deepest condolences for those on board and ordered national flags to be flown at half-mast across the country. [5]

Search and Rescue Efforts and Investigation

The incident is one of the deadliest recent air disasters in Nigeria, following crashes in 2021 that killed senior officers. [4] 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. [3] A resident reported that the plane had crashed near a swamp and that smoke could be seen rising from the area. [5] The Chief of Air Staff has directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident. [3] President Tinubu ordered the Air Force to immediately begin a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to help prevent similar incidents in the future. [4] 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. [3] A condolence register has also been opened at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Abuja, for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies, and other well-wishers. [3]

Context of Recent Nigerian Air Crashes

The accident is one of the deadliest air disasters in Nigeria in recent years. [5] In May 2021, Nigeria's army chief, Lt-Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, was killed in a plane crash alongside 10 other officers in the north-western state of Kaduna amid bad weather. [5] In February of the same year, seven people died after a military plane crashed short of a runway in the capital Abuja. [4] The Nigerian Air Force plays a key role in the country's military operations, including efforts to tackle armed groups and insecurity in several parts of the country. [4]

What to watch next: The Nigerian Air Force has stated it will continue to provide timely and verified updates as the investigation progresses.