NAF Clarifies 32 vs 25 Death Toll in Igbokoda Aircraft Crash

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has clarified why conflicting figures of 25 and 32 people were initially reported in connection with the ATR 42 aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the discrepancy resulted from a misunderstanding of the term “souls on board” as used in civil and military aviation.

Ejodame explained that civil aviation air traffic controllers may refer to “25 souls on board, inclusive of seven crew”, while the military counts the seven crew members as part of the 25 people aboard the aircraft.

He said: “For air traffic controllers, when they normally communicate ‘25 souls on board inclusive of seven crew’, it is minus the seven.

“However, for the military, the seven is in the 25. It doesn’t mean you add additional souls.

“In this case, there were 25 souls on board: five were active crew, then two were passengers, but they are crew. So, there are seven crew on board reported, but only five were flying at that time.

“The other two were on board as passengers.”

The clarification followed an earlier statement by Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo, who said 32 people, made up of 25 passengers and seven crew members, had died in the crash.

The NAF later corrected the figure, stating that 25 people were aboard the aircraft — five crew members and 20 passengers.

25 People Were on Board

NAF 931 crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State while on a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos.

According to Keyamo, the aircraft disappeared from radar at about 9 a.m. local time, or 7 a.m. GMT. It was later located after crashing approximately halfway through the journey.

The wreckage was discovered in a swamp close to a naval base and remained submerged as recovery efforts continued.

The NAF later released the identities of the 25 people on board.

The five crew members 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; and Corporal Uguru HC, Aircraft Technician.

The 20 passengers were 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; and Gideon Omotola.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, condoled with the families of the victims and described the crash as a deeply painful moment for both the Nigerian Air Force and the country.

The NAF said search-and-rescue procedures were activated immediately after the accident and that response operations were carried out in coordination with relevant authorities.

It confirmed that no survivor had been found.

NAF Begins Full Investigation

Ejodame said the NAF was relying on established aircraft accident investigation procedures to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.

He said the Chief of the Air Staff had directed a comprehensive investigation, leading to the constitution of a board of inquiry or committee.

According to him, the appropriate board or committee would communicate its findings after the preliminary report was completed.

The NAF also urged the public not to speculate or circulate unverified information while the investigation continues.

It appealed to members of the public to respect the privacy and dignity of the affected families.

A condolence register has also been opened at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers to pay their respects to the deceased and sympathise with their families.

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