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…Five crew and 20 passengers die as ATR 42 crashes during routine mission
Daud Olatunji
The Nigerian Air Force has released the identities of 25 people killed in the crash of a NAF ATR 42 aircraft in Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The aircraft, identified as NAF 931, crashed on Monday during a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The Nigerian Air Force said there were five crew members and 20 passengers on board the plane, adding that no survivors were found after the crash.
NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame revealed the identity of the victims in a statement on Tuesday, confirming the activation of search and rescue operations immediately following the crash.
Among those killed were the flight captain, Squadron Leader MI Aburime; co-pilots, Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje and Flight Lieutenant IS Bako; and aviation technicians, Air Marshal Abubakar A and Corporal Uguru HC.
The 20 passengers were identified as Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus; Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye; Flying Officer IM Adeshina; Chief Warrant Officer Onwuka F; Marshal Major Matini BA; Marshal Nuhu FS; Flight Sergeant James RB; Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI; Sergeant Ani AE; Sergeant Izibenikien YES; Sergeant Alafuka C; Sergeant Mbadugha AN; Corporal Ugwuba FC; Corporal Eledan GE; Mrs. Ezeh Nneka; Godstmine Tarabina; Joy Michele; Domenica Michele; Ukeme David; and Gideon Omotola.
The tragedy has thrown the Nigerian Air Force and the families of the victims into mourning, with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, describing the incident as a deeply painful moment for the service and the country.
Aneke expressed her condolences to the families, relatives, friends and colleagues of the deceased and assured them of the full support of the Nigerian Air Force during the period of grief.
He also directed a thorough investigation into the accident to determine the circumstances that led to the fatal accident.
The NAF said the investigation will establish what happened to the plane before the crash and provide the necessary findings after the tragedy.
Meanwhile, a condolence register has been opened at the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters in Abuja for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other sympathizers who wish to pay their respects to the deceased.
The accident occurred while the aircraft was undertaking a routine mission, with search and rescue activities immediately launched in collaboration with the relevant authorities.
The NAF said the identities of the victims were released after the necessary confirmation process.
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