A Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed on Monday, 5 October 2026. The crash, as reported by NBG Africa, occurred near Igbokoda in Ondo State, claiming the lives of all 32 people on board.
The aircraft, identified as NAF 931, an ATR-42-500MP maritime patrol plane operated by the 81 Air Maritime Group based in Benin City. It was on a routine Benin-to-Lagos mission when it lost contact with air traffic controllers at approximately 09:13 local time.
The wreckage was later located in a swampy area close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area. 
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The Newly Wedded Pilot
Among those who perished was the pilot, Squadron Leader Aham Man Ugweje.
According to military sources, the young officer had only recently been promoted and had gotten married just two weeks before the fatal flight. He got married to a fellow officer, Flight Lieutenant D.E. Adekunle, on September 19 in Abuja.
The news of his recent marriage has added a particularly poignant layer of sorrow to an already devastating loss.
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His Wife Lost Her Father in a Similar Crash
Flight Lieutenant D.E Adekunle also lost her father, Wing Commander O.E Adekunle in the 2006 Nigerian Air Force Dornier 228 crash (registration NAF033, MSN 8229) which occurred on Sunday, 17 September 2006.
The aircraft was en route from Abuja to the Obudu/Bebi area (carrying senior Nigerian Army officers to a retreat) when it struck hilly terrain near Vande Ikya Benue State, in poor weather. It resulted in 13 fatalities out of 18 people on board. Only five survived.
Response from the Federal Government
President Bola Tinubu confirmed that all 32 souls on board, including 25 passengers and 7 crew members, lost their lives in the crash.
In a statement, the President expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, the Chief of the Air Staff, and the entire Nigerian Air Force family.
He also directed a thorough investigation into the accident’s cause and declared three days of national mourning.
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo was among the first to publicly confirm the incident after air traffic controllers reported losing contact with the aircraft. Search and rescue operations were immediately activated by the Nigerian Air Force in coordination with relevant agencies.
While official investigations are ongoing, early indications point to a possible technical or mechanical issue, though authorities have urged the public to await the formal findings.
Behind the ranks and aircraft numbers were husbands, fathers, sons, daughters, colleagues, and friends – including a young pilot who had just begun a new chapter of his life with his wife.
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