Military Aircraft Crash: NAF Names All 25 Victims of Ondo Tragedy
By: Abudu Olalekan
Twenty-five names. That’s what the Nigerian Air Force released on Monday, after a military aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, left nobody alive to tell the story.
Five of them were crew. The other twenty were passengers — all of them on board when the plane went down.
It was supposed to be a routine run. Benin to Lagos. Nothing unusual about it. The aircraft never made it.
According to the NAF, search-and-rescue teams were on the move almost immediately, working alongside emergency agencies and other relevant authorities to account for everyone who had been aboard. Hours later came the confirmation nobody wanted. No survivors.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, sent his condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those lost. He called it a deeply painful moment — not just for the Air Force, but for the whole country — and promised the bereaved families that the Service would stand by them through the mourning.
He has also ordered a full investigation into what exactly happened out there.
The Air Force says it will keep releasing verified information as the probe moves along. In the meantime, it is asking Nigerians to hold off on speculation and stop circulating unconfirmed reports. Let the families grieve in peace, essentially.
The statement came from the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, who also announced that a condolence register has been opened at NAF Headquarters in Abuja. Senior government officials, the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other sympathisers can sign it and pay their respects.
The 25 victims
Crew
- 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
Olalekan A. Abudu is a seasoned and dedicated News Journalist at REPORTERS ROOM, with over eight years of experience. He specializes in politics, climate change, health, and education, while also covering security, economic, and judicial issues. Committed to accuracy and balanced reporting, Olalekan exemplifies the principles of public-interest journalism.