The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has released the names of the 25 people who died in the crash involving its NAF 931 aircraft in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The victims comprised five crew members and 20 passengers, according to a statement issued by the NAF on Tuesday. The aircraft, an ATR-42, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed on Monday, October 5, 2026.
The NAF said no survivors have been found.
Full List of NAF 931 Crash Victims
The five crew members were identified 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
- Corporal Uguru HC — Aircraft Technician
The 20 passengers were identified 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
- Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC
- Lance Corporal Eledan GE
- Mrs Ezeh Nneka
- Godstmine Tarabina
- Joy Micheal
- Sunday Micheal
- Ukeme David
- Gideon Omotola
The names were released by NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.
NAF 931 Crash: What Happened?
NAF 931 was carrying out a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft.
The wreckage was later located in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, close to a naval base. Search-and-rescue operations were immediately activated to locate the aircraft and account for those on board.
The NAF subsequently confirmed that all 25 people aboard the aircraft had died.
NAF Corrects Earlier Passenger Figure
The latest NAF manifest also resolves, at least for now, confusion over the number of people aboard the aircraft.
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo had initially said that preliminary information indicated that 32 people — 25 passengers and seven crew members — were aboard NAF 931.
The Nigerian Air Force’s subsequent statement, however, confirmed 25 people in total, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers.
The NAF did not immediately provide an explanation for the discrepancy between the initial figure and the later official manifest.
Air Force Orders Investigation Into Crash
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has directed a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The investigation is expected to establish what caused the aircraft to crash during its routine mission.
The NAF said it would continue to provide verified updates as the investigation progresses.
The Service also urged members of the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information, while asking people to respect the privacy and dignity of the victims and their families.
The NAF has also opened a condolence register at its headquarters in Abuja for government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, security chiefs and other well-wishers who wish to pay their respects to the victims and their families.
The cause of the crash has not yet been established, and the investigation is ongoing.