Squadron Leader Ahamefule Aham Man-Ugwueje, one of the pilots of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, died two weeks after marrying Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle.
Man-Ugwueje and Adekunle got married in Abuja on September 19, 2026, while the aircraft, NAF 931, crashed during a routine mission from Benin to Lagos on Monday, killing all 25 people on board.
The Nigerian Air Force confirmed on Tuesday that the five crew members and 20 passengers aboard the aircraft died in the crash. Man-Ugwueje was identified by the service as the co-pilot.
Details of the pilot’s wedding emerged from the wedding invitation and posts shared by vendors involved in the ceremony.
Photographs and videos from the event showed Man-Ugwueje and Adekunle celebrating their marriage in Abuja.
The wedding’s Holy Matrimony was held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Masters Place, Plot 826, Solomon Lar Way, opposite the NHIS Headquarters/Customary Court of Appeal, Utako, Abuja.
The ceremony was scheduled for 11am, while the reception followed at 3pm at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre, Km 10 Expressway, Asokoro.
A videographer at the wedding, Beejay Creates, also shared footage from the ceremony with the caption, “Love in every word.” The post identified the couple as “BRIDE DAMILOLA AND GROOM AHAMEFULE.”
The wedding invitation identified.
Man-Ugwueje as the son of retired Group Captain Man-Ugwueje. His Facebook profile also listed Umuahia, Abia State, as his hometown and Abuja as his current city.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the crash as “a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation” and sympathised with the families, loved ones and colleagues of the victims.
The Nigerian Air Force said a comprehensive investigation had been ordered to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, had earlier said no survivor was found at the crash site despite search efforts involving security personnel, emergency responders and local residents.
Aiyedatiwa said he received information about the crash at about 10.30am on Monday after the chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area contacted him.
According to the governor, residents across the river from the Nigerian Navy base in Igbokoda heard a loud sound and later saw the aircraft dive into a swampy area.
He said the Nigerian Navy initially stayed back to determine whether there was any fire or explosion before moving towards the crash site.
“When they noticed that it’s just an accident, they didn’t see any sign of fire. So they moved in, trying to see if they could rescue the people,” Aiyedatiwa said.
He added that officials of the local emergency management agency, residents and personnel of the Amotekun Corps joined the search for survivors.
