NAF names 25 Ondo crash victims, gives lower count than earlier reports

The Nigerian Air Force has released the names of 25 people killed in Monday’s aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, giving a lower number aboard than earlier reports.

The official list contains five crew members and 20 passengers. In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the Air Force said the aircraft was on a routine flight from Benin to Lagos and that no survivors had been found.

The new breakdown differs from the earlier figure of 32 people, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members. NaijaTrend reported that preliminary count and President Bola Tinubu’s investigation order here. The Air Force statement reported by Channels Television and Vanguard gives the figure as 25; it does not explain the difference from the earlier count.

Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke ordered a comprehensive investigation into the crash and expressed condolences to the families. The Air Force said search-and-rescue procedures were activated immediately, with relevant authorities involved in efforts to locate and account for those aboard.

Crew members

• 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)

Passengers

• 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

A condolence register has been opened at Air Force headquarters in Abuja. The service said it would provide verified updates as the investigation progresses and asked the public to avoid speculation and respect the privacy of the bereaved families.

Sources: Channels Television, Vanguard