A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 maritime patrol plane (tail number NAF 931) crashed into a swamp near Igbokoda, Ondo State, during a routine logistics flight from Benin to Lagos

Incident Timeline & Flight Details

 Flight Route: The aircraft—a NAF ATR-42 maritime surveillance plane (tail number NAF 931)—departed Benin City, Edo State, on October 5, 2026, bound for Lagos on a routine military transport mission.  

 Radar Loss & Impact: Shortly after takeoff, air traffic controllers lost radio and radar contact with the plane. Eyewitnesses in coastal fishing villages near Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, reported hearing a loud noise and seeing the plane engulfed in flames before it crashed into swampy waters near a naval base.  

 Casualty Breakdown: The Nigerian Air Force officially confirmed 25 fatalities, consisting of 5 crew members and 20 military passengers. There were no survivors.  

Key Personnel & Victims

The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, published the full manifest of victims.  

 Flight Crew:

 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)  

 Passengers: Among the 20 officers and personnel lost were Flight Lieutenant T.L. Lazarus, Flight Lieutenant M. Akinloye, Flying Officer I.M. Adeshina, Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F., and Warrant Officer Nuhu F.S.

Search, Rescue & Recovery Operations

 Challenging Terrain: The crash occurred in a mangrove swamp. Initial recovery efforts by local fishermen in wooden canoes were hindered by the deep, muddy waters where parts of the fuselage sank rapidly.

 Joint Response: Armed forces units, emergency response agencies, and local volunteers collaborated on search-and-recovery operations to retrieve the victims’ remains and debris.  

National Response & Investigation

 Presidential Directive: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared three days of national mourning, directing that national flags be flown at half-mast nationwide.  

 Formal Inquiry: The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, ordered a comprehensive Military Board of Inquiry to determine whether mechanical failure, bird strike, or adverse atmospheric conditions caused the crash. Air force authorities urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified speculative reports while investigation continues.