Nigeria Air Force Plane Crash Death Toll Revised to 25

The Nigerian Air Force has revised the number of people aboard an aircraft that crashed in southern Nigeria from an initial figure of 32 to 25.

The ATR-42 aircraft, identified as NAF 931, crashed on Monday near Igbokoda in Ondo State while travelling from Benin City to Lagos on what the Air Force described as a routine mission.

In a statement on Tuesday, Air Force spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the aircraft was carrying 20 passengers and five crew members.

“No survivors have been found,” the Air Force said.

The revised figure follows an initial announcement by Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo that 32 people were aboard the aircraft. President Bola Tinubu also initially referred to 32 people in confirming the deaths. Officials have not publicly provided a detailed explanation for the discrepancy.

Civilians Among Those Killed

The victims included military personnel as well as civilians. The Air Force’s released list contained six people whose names were not accompanied by military rank prefixes.

Major General Samaila Uba, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, separately confirmed that family members were among those travelling on the aircraft.

The crash therefore affected both military personnel and civilians, adding to the loss suffered by families connected to the armed forces.

Crash Occurred Near Igbokoda

The aircraft disappeared from radar while travelling towards Lagos and was later located near the riverside town of Igbokoda, close to a naval base.

Search and rescue teams were deployed after the crash, with emergency personnel working in the difficult terrain around the crash site.

The exact cause of the accident remains unknown. Authorities have not indicated whether mechanical failure, weather conditions, operational factors or another issue contributed to the crash.

Tinubu Orders Investigation

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Nigerian Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation into the accident.

Tinubu also declared three days of national mourning and directed that flags be flown at half-mast in honour of the victims.

The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash and determine what measures may be necessary to prevent similar accidents in the future.

One of Nigeria’s Recent Major Military Aviation Disasters

The crash is among the most serious military aviation accidents Nigeria has experienced in recent years.

In May 2021, Nigeria’s then Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, and 10 other military personnel died when their aircraft crashed while attempting to land in Kaduna State.

The latest accident is likely to renew attention on aviation safety, aircraft maintenance and operational procedures within Nigeria’s military aviation system.

For now, authorities are focused on recovering the victims, supporting their families and establishing what caused NAF 931 to crash.