The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has explained why conflicting figures of 25 and 32 people were reported after an ATR 42 aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the discrepancy resulted from differences in how civil and military aviation authorities interpret the expression “souls on board.”
According to him, civil aviation communication may describe 25 people as being on board, including seven crew members, while military usage counts the seven crew members within the total number rather than adding them separately.
Ejodame clarified that 25 people were aboard the aircraft, comprising five active crew members, two additional crew members who were travelling as passengers, and 18 other passengers.
The explanation followed an earlier statement by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who reported that 32 people, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members, had died in the crash.
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The Air Force subsequently clarified that the aircraft had 25 occupants, made up of five crew members and 20 passengers.
The aircraft, identified as NAF 931, crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State while travelling from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos on a routine mission.
Keyamo had earlier disclosed that the aircraft disappeared from radar at about 9 a.m. local time, equivalent to 7 a.m. GMT. It was later located after crashing approximately halfway through its journey.
The wreckage was discovered submerged in a swamp near a naval base, as recovery operations continued.
The Nigerian Air Force subsequently released the names of the 25 people aboard the aircraft, consisting of five crew members and 20 passengers.
The 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 passengers included 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.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, expressed condolences to the families of the victims, describing the incident as a painful loss for the Air Force and the country.
The NAF said search-and-rescue operations began immediately after the crash, with relevant authorities working together to respond to the incident. It added that no survivor had been found.
Investigation Ongoing
Ejodame said the Air Force had commenced an investigation in line with established aircraft accident investigation procedures.
He disclosed that the Chief of the Air Staff had ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the crash, with a board of inquiry or committee constituted to handle the investigation.
According to him, the findings would be communicated through the appropriate board or committee after the preliminary report had been completed.
The Air Force had also urged the public to avoid speculation and the spread of unverified information while investigations continued.
It appealed to Nigerians to respect the privacy and dignity of the affected families.
Meanwhile, a condolence register was opened at the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters in Abuja for government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, security agency heads and other well-wishers to express their sympathies to the bereaved families.
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