NAF 931 crash: Who were the 25 people killed in Nigeria’s military plane crash?
The Nigerian Air Force has released the names of the 25 people who died when its aircraft, NAF 931, crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The victims comprised five crew members and 20 passengers, according to the latest statement from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
The aircraft was travelling from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos on what the Air Force described as a routine mission when it crashed in a swampy area of Igbokoda on Monday, October 5, 2026.
No survivor was found after search-and-rescue teams reached the crash site. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has since ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
NAF 931 crash: Who were the five crew members?
The five people operating the aircraft included two squadron leaders, a flight lieutenant, a warrant officer and a corporal.
They were:
- 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 crew included two officers serving as pilots, as well as two personnel responsible for aircraft technical duties.
The NAF described the deaths as a painful moment for the service and the country. It also assured the families of the victims of its support.
NAF 931 crash: Who were the military passengers?
Most of the 20 passengers were also Nigerian military personnel serving at different ranks.
The list released by the Air Force includes:
- 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
Their ranks show that the aircraft was carrying personnel from different levels of the military hierarchy.
The NAF has not, however, released detailed biographies of the victims or explained the specific duties each passenger was travelling to perform.
NAF 931 crash: Who were the civilian passengers?
Six names on the passenger list do not carry military ranks.
They are:
- Mrs Ezeh Nneka
- Godstmine Tarabina
- Joy Micheal
- Sunday Micheal
- Ukeme David
- Gideon Omotola
The NAF listed all 20 passengers together in its statement but did not provide further details about the civilian passengers.
More information about the victims may emerge as their families and the authorities make further announcements.
What happened to NAF 931?
NAF 931 was an ATR-42 aircraft operated by the Nigerian Air Force.
The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State.
Air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft during the journey. The wreckage was later located in a swampy area near Igbokoda.
Local residents, emergency responders and security personnel took part in efforts to reach the crash site.
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said rescuers found parts of the aircraft, identification cards and military uniforms at the scene but no survivor.
The NAF later confirmed that all 25 people on board had died.
Why did the number of victims change from 32 to 25?
The crash initially generated confusion over the number of people aboard the aircraft.
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said on Monday that preliminary information indicated that 32 people were on board, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members.
The presidency also referred to the 32-person figure in its initial reaction to the crash.
However, the NAF’s latest statement says NAF 931 had 25 people on board, made up of five crew members and 20 passengers.
The Air Force has not publicly explained the discrepancy between the initial figure and the revised figure.
Premium Times reported that the new figure indicates that the aircraft’s manifest had been reviewed.
What is known about the crashed aircraft?
NAF 931 was one of two ATR-42-500MP aircraft acquired by Nigeria from Italian aerospace company Alenia Aeronautica.
The aircraft were primarily configured for maritime patrol and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. They could also be used for search-and-rescue missions and limited transport duties.
The Nigerian Air Force received NAF 930 in December 2009 and NAF 931 in March 2010 under a $73 million deal signed with Alenia Aeronautica in 2007.
NAF 931 was also sent to Germany for major maintenance in 2022 and returned to Nigeria in late 2024, according to Premium Times’ review of the aircraft’s history.
Investigation begins into NAF 931 crash
The exact cause of the crash remains unknown.
The Chief of the Air Staff has directed a comprehensive investigation to establish what happened to the aircraft.
President Bola Tinubu has also ordered a thorough investigation and declared three days of national mourning for the victims.
The NAF has urged members of the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information while the investigation continues.
For the families of the 25 victims, however, the investigation comes after an immediate and devastating loss.
The five crew members and 20 passengers who boarded NAF 931 for a journey from Benin to Lagos did not return.