AKURE — Recovery efforts following the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft crash at Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have been hampered by difficult swampy terrain, with the wreckage reportedly deeply submerged in water and mangroves more than 24 hours after the tragedy.
The aircraft, identified as NAF 931, crashed on Monday while on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos. The Nigerian Air Force confirmed that 25 people — five crew members and 20 passengers — were on board and that no survivors had been found.
The challenging terrain around the crash site has significantly complicated search, rescue and recovery operations. Thick mangroves, murky waters and inaccessible swamp have prevented both emergency responders and local residents from reaching the main wreckage.
Sources at the scene said the aircraft was deeply submerged in the swamp, making it difficult for rescuers to access and recover the remains of those on board.
The difficult conditions have also delayed the recovery of the aircraft’s black boxes, which could provide crucial information about what caused the crash.
The crash site, located about 500 metres east of the Naval Base in Igbokoda, has been cordoned off by security personnel. Journalists attempting to access the area were reportedly denied entry, while some television journalists were arrested by naval authorities for allegedly entering the restricted area without clearance.
Police: More Equipment Needed
Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohgawu, described the terrain as extremely challenging, noting that even accessing the crash site required travelling by canoe.
He said recovery of the wreckage was still ongoing and that authorities were waiting for additional technical support and heavier equipment capable of pulling the aircraft from the swamp.
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According to him, the police command was also awaiting assistance from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant agencies.
“For now, recovery of the wreckage is still in progress. More technical support is being awaited. We are still expecting a bigger machine to be able to pull the wreckage from the water,” the commissioner said.
Medical Teams, Ambulances Deployed
Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, said personnel and ambulances from hospitals in Ilaje and Okitipupa Local Government Areas had been deployed on the directive of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Ajaka said he personally visited the area with the Commanding Officer of the Forward Operating Base, Igbokoda, to supervise search-and-rescue operations.
He disclosed that local divers, security personnel and medical teams were working together at the scene.
The commissioner described the crash as a national tragedy and appealed to members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information.
He said the operation would be strengthened with the deployment of swamp buggies and other specialised rescue equipment.
Locals Recall Desperate Attempts to Help
Residents of Igbokoda said they rushed towards the crash site immediately after hearing the sound of the aircraft going down but were unable to reach the victims because of the difficult terrain.
One local diver, identified as Jomiloju, said residents used canoes to reach the area where they could see parts of the wreckage.
According to him, a large portion of the aircraft had disappeared deep into the swamp, making it impossible for the locals to rescue anyone.
Another resident, Lucky, said residents made several attempts to reach the occupants but were unsuccessful because the aircraft was deeply buried in the swamp.
Another resident, Bolajoko Ayeni, said some residents saw human remains when they reached the area but were unable to conduct any meaningful rescue operation.
NEMA Deploys Specialised Search-and-Rescue Team
In response to the difficulties confronting the operation, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) activated a specialised search-and-rescue team.
NEMA Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, directed the agency’s Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Bature Usman, to lead a technical team to the crash location.
The team was deployed to reinforce the search and recovery operation and provide additional technical and operational support to emergency responders already working at the scene.
Umar expressed sadness over the incident and commended personnel involved in the emergency response, while reaffirming NEMA’s readiness to provide the resources required for the operation.
NAF Releases Names of 25 Victims
As recovery efforts continued, the Nigerian Air Force released the manifest of the 25 people aboard the aircraft.
The five crew members were identified as:
- Squadron Leader M.I. Aburime — Flight Captain
- Squadron Leader A.P. Man-Ugwueje — Co-pilot
- Flight Lieutenant I.S. Bako — Co-pilot
- Warrant Officer Abubakar A. — Aircraft Technician
- Corporal Uguru H.C. — Aircraft Technician
The 20 passengers were identified as:
- Flight Lieutenant T.L. Lazarus
- Flight Lieutenant M. Akinloye
- Flying Officer I.M. Adeshina
- Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F.
- Master Warrant Officer Matini B.A.
- Warrant Officer Nuhu F.S.
- Flight Sergeant James R.B.
- Flight Sergeant Mohammed A.I.
- Sergeant Ani A.E.
- Sergeant Izibenikien S.I.
- Sergeant Alafuka C.
- Sergeant Mbadugha A.N.
- Lance Corporal Ugwuba F.C.
- Lance Corporal Eledan G.E.
- Mrs Ezeh Nneka
- Godstmine Tarabina
- Joy Michael
- Sunday Michael
- Ukeme David
- Gideon Omotola
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, expressed condolences to the families of those who died and directed a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The Air Force said search-and-rescue procedures were activated immediately after the accident and that operations were being conducted in collaboration with relevant authorities.
Pilot Was UNIBEN Master’s Student
The tragedy has also sent shockwaves through the University of Benin community after it emerged that the pilot of the ill-fated aircraft was a Master’s student in the Department of Mass Communication.
According to his classmates, he had attended the university only days before the crash for a make-up test.
His class representative, Desmond Odiah, described him as a gentle and disciplined student who remained committed to his studies despite the demands of his military responsibilities.
Odiah said the pilot was in school on Friday for the make-up examination, marking the last time they communicated.
Co-Pilot Married Two Weeks Before Tragedy
The crash has also brought profound grief to the family of Squadron Leader Ahamefule Man-Ugwueje, one of the aircraft’s co-pilots.
According to the report, Man-Ugwueje married Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle in Abuja only two weeks before the crash.
The Squadron Leader, whose hometown was listed as Umuahia, Abia State, was survived by his young wife, parents and other family members.
His death has added another deeply personal dimension to the national tragedy, coming just weeks after his wedding.
Victim Visited Mother on Her Birthday
Another heartbreaking account emerged involving Flight Lieutenant M. Akintoye, who reportedly visited his mother in Benin City shortly before the fatal flight.
The victim reportedly visited his mother, Professor Emily Akintoye, who is a staff member of Benson Idahosa University, to wish her a happy birthday.
According to a family source, Akintoye told his mother that they were travelling to Lagos. Hours later, the family received news of the crash.
Flags were subsequently flown at half-mast at the Air Force military base and Air Force Military Hospital in Benin.
Defence Headquarters Begins Investigation
The Defence Headquarters has commenced an investigation into the accident.
Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the aircraft was carrying military personnel and family members on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos.
He said the investigation was being conducted in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish the cause of the accident.
The Defence Headquarters also extended condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims, describing the incident as a painful loss to the Armed Forces and the nation.
It urged members of the public to refrain from speculation and allow official procedures to take their course.
Senate Postpones National Security Summit
The tragedy has also affected the activities of the National Assembly.
The Senate postponed its planned National Security Summit, originally scheduled for October 12 and 13, 2026.
Senate Leader and Chairman of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on the National Security Summit, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, said a new date would be communicated later.
The summit had been convened to examine Nigeria’s persistent security challenges and develop practical solutions for protecting lives and property across the country.
Shettima: FG Won’t Abandon Bereaved Families
Vice President Kashim Shettima assured the families of the victims that the Federal Government’s support would extend beyond words of condolence.
Shettima described the victims not merely as military personnel but as husbands, wives, parents, children, siblings and members of families whose sudden absence had created an enormous void.
He said Nigeria owed an enduring debt of gratitude to the personnel who lost their lives while serving the country.
The Vice President assured the bereaved families that the government would stand with them beyond the immediate period of mourning.
He also honoured the fallen personnel for their courage, service and sacrifice, while extending condolences to the Nigerian Air Force and the wider Armed Forces community.
Investigation, Recovery Continue
As authorities intensify search and recovery efforts at Igbokoda, attention remains focused on retrieving the aircraft wreckage and recovering the remains of the victims.
The recovery operation is being complicated by the swampy environment, while investigators await access to crucial evidence that could help establish what caused the ATR-42 aircraft to crash.
Authorities have appealed to the public to rely only on verified information as the investigation continues.
For the families of the 25 victims, however, the tragedy has already become an immeasurable loss — one that has brought grief to military communities, families, students and the nation at large.
