NAF Publishes Names of 25 Victims of Ondo Military Plane Crash, Says No Survivor

By Monday Peters, Abuja

Following the tragedy of the military crash in Ondo state, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) released the names of the 25 personnel and civilians who died when its ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday. The NAF stated that the victims comprised five crew members and 20 passengers who were on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

In a statement by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the Air Force confirmed that there were no survivors after search and rescue teams were immediately deployed to the crash site in collaboration with other emergency agencies.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the incident as deeply painful for the NAF and the nation, and extended condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the victims. He assured the bereaved families of the Service’s full support and ordered a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the crash.

The NAF has opened a condolence register at its Headquarters in Abuja for senior government officials, diplomats and sympathisers, while urging the public to avoid speculation and respect the privacy of the victims’ families as investigation continues.