The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has released the passenger manifest of the 25 people who died in the NAF 931 aircraft crash in Ondo State.
The list comprising five crew members and 20 passengers comes a day after the aircraft crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos. No survivors have been found.
The five crew members were identified as 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.
Meanwhile, the 20 passengers listed by the NAF are 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.
Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, had on Monday announced that preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board the aircraft, bringing the total to 32.
Keyamo had earlier confirmed the accident after air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft at about 9:13am while it was en route from Benin to Lagos.
He said, “I regret to inform the general public that Air Traffic Controllers have informed me of the disappearance of a military aircraft with tail number NGR 931, enroute Lagos from Benin at 0913 hours earlier today. All efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive.”
The wreckage was later located close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda, with search-and-rescue operations subsequently launched.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has directed a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The NAF also urged members of the public to refrain from speculation and the circulation of unverified information while respecting the privacy and dignity of the victims
