The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that all 25 people aboard its ATR 42 aircraft, NAF 931, died after the plane crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The aircraft, which had five crew members and 20 passengers on board, was operating a routine flight from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said search-and-rescue operations were launched immediately after the incident.
He said, “No survivors have been found,” adding that the rescue effort was carried out in collaboration with relevant authorities to account for everyone on board.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, expressed condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased.
Aneke described the crash as “a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation” and assured the affected families of the service’s full support.
The five crew members identified by the Air Force were Squadron Leader MI Aburime, the flight captain; Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje and Flight Lieutenant IS Bako, both co-pilots; Warrant Officer Abubakar A, an aircraft technician; and Corporal Uguru HC, also an aircraft technician.
The 20 passengers included military personnel and civilians.
The Chief of the Air Staff has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The Air Force said the investigation would establish what led to the accident and pledged to provide verified updates as the process progresses.
It also urged the public to avoid speculation and the spread of unverified information, while appealing for respect for the privacy and dignity of the victims’ families.
The NAF said a condolence register had been opened at its headquarters in Abuja for government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other sympathisers wishing to pay their respects.
