Tragedy Strikes: Newlywed Air Force Officer Among 25 Dead in Ondo NAF Aircraft Crash
Newlywed Squadron Leader Ahamefule Man Ugwueje was among 25 people who tragically lost their lives when a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR 42 aircraft, NAF 931, crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
Ugwueje, who served as co-pilot on the flight, had married Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle on September 19—just over two weeks before the fatal crash. Coming from families with deep military roots, the couple was reportedly still on their honeymoon when he died in active service.
According to an official press statement released by NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos carrying 5 crew members and 20 passengers. Search-and-rescue procedures were activated immediately, but authorities confirmed there were no survivors.
Full Manifest:
Crew Members:
* 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)
* Corporal Uguru HC (Aircraft Technician)
Passengers:
6. Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus
7. Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye
8. Flying Officer IM Adeshina
9. Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F
10. Master Warrant Officer Matini BA
11. Warrant Officer Nuhu FS
12. Flight Sergeant James RB
13. Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI
14. Sergeant Ani AE
15. Sergeant Izibenikien SI
16. Sergeant Alafuka C
17. Sergeant Mbadugha AN
18. Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC
19. Lance Corporal Eledan GE
20. Mrs Ezeh Nneka
21. Godstmine Tarabina
22. Joy Micheal
23. Sunday Micheal
24. Ukeme David
25. Gideon Omotola
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, expressed profound condolences to the families of all victims, describing the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the entire nation. The CAS has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the accident and urged the public to refrain from circulating unverified speculation while respecting the families’ privacy.
A condolence register has been opened at NAF Headquarters in Abuja.
