The Nigerian Air Force on Tuesday released the names of 25 souls lost in the ill-fated aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State—five crew members and 20 passengers who never made it from Benin to Lagos.
There were no survivors.
The aircraft was on a routine mission. Routine, until tragedy struck.
In a statement by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, NAF, the Service said search-and-rescue teams were immediately deployed in coordination with relevant authorities. What they found was heartbreak.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, broke down the loss in words that captured the mood of a nation.
He described it as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and for Nigeria, extending heartfelt condolences to families, loved ones and colleagues left behind in shock and tears.
He assured the bereaved that the Service will stand with them in this difficult hour while ordering a comprehensive investigation to unravel what went wrong.
The NAF appealed to Nigerians to avoid speculation and the spread of unverified information and to respect the dignity and privacy of the grieving families.
A condolence register has now been opened at NAF Headquarters in Abuja for senior government officials, diplomats, security chiefs, and well-wishers to pay their respects.
President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning and ordered flags flown at half-mast in honour of the dead.
Behind the uniforms and titles are human stories now cut short—pilots, technicians, airmen, wives, and children.
They are:
—THE CREW—Five Brave Airmen—
1. Squadron Leader MI Aburime – Flight Captain
2. Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje – Co-pilot
3. Flight Lieutenant IS Bako—Co-pilot
4. Warrant Officer Abubakar A – Aircraft Technician
5. Corporal Uguru HC – Aircraft Technician
—THE PASSENGERS—20 Souls, Including Children—
1. Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus
2. Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye
3. Flying Officer IM Adeshina
4. Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F
5. Master Warrant Officer Matini BA
6. Warrant Officer Nuhu FS
7. Flight Sergeant James RB
8. Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI
9. Sergeant Ani AE
10. Sergeant Izibenikien SI
11. Sergeant Alafuka C
12. Sergeant Mbadugha AN
13. Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC
14. Lance Corporal Eledan GE
15. Mrs Ezeh Nneka
16. Godstmine Tarabina
17. Joy Micheal
18. Sunday Micheal
19. Ukeme David
20. Gideon Omotola
Twenty-five names. Twenty-five dreams. Gone in one dark Monday in Igbokoda.
