The United States, Türkiye and other international partners have joined Nigeria in mourning the 25 people who died in a Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The Nigerian Air Force confirmed that all 25 people on board died. The victims comprised five crew members and 20 passengers.
The ATR-42 aircraft, identified as NAF 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed near a naval base in Igbokoda on Monday, October 5, 2026.
The NAF has since released the names of all the victims. It also urged the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information as the investigation continues.
Meanwhile, recovery teams are working to locate and retrieve the victims and the aircraft wreckage.
The crash site is located in a swampy and difficult-to-access area, making the recovery operation challenging.
To support the operation, authorities have deployed two amphibious excavators, known as swamp boogies, along with technical personnel and specialised detection equipment.
Divers have also joined the operation. However, difficult terrain and the submerged wreckage have slowed efforts to reach the aircraft.
In addition, the Nigerian Navy and Marine Police have begun searching the area for the victims’ remains and the wreckage. Authorities have also restricted movement around the crash site as recovery efforts continue.
Following the tragedy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared three days of national mourning.
He also directed that flags be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the victims.
The President ordered the Nigerian Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation into the crash and determine what caused the aircraft to go down.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, also expressed condolences to the victims’ families, colleagues and loved ones.
The NAF has assured the public that it will provide verified updates as the investigation progresses.
The crash has also triggered international expressions of sympathy.
The United States Mission in Nigeria expressed condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who died. It also reaffirmed the strong security relationship between Nigeria and the United States.
Türkiye has also expressed deep sadness over the crash, joining Nigeria and other international partners in mourning the victims.
The tragedy has prompted widespread grief across Nigeria, particularly among the families of the victims and the Nigerian Armed Forces.
For now, authorities have not established the cause of the crash.
The NAF investigation is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the flight, the aircraft and events leading to the crash.
As recovery teams continue their work at the Igbokoda site, attention remains focused on recovering the victims, securing the wreckage and determining what caused the fatal accident.
The investigation could also provide answers that may help prevent similar tragedies involving military aircraft in the future.
