THE Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has assured families of personnel killed in the October 5, 2026, crash involving its ATR 42-500 aircraft, NAF 931, in Igbokoda, Ondo State, that their salaries will continue until their death benefits are fully paid.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Ehimen Ejodame, revealed this in a statement, stating that the Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Aneke, gave the assurance during an engagement with the bereaved families on Wednesday, October 28, as the military continues recovery operations and investigations into the crash.
“The Nigerian Air Force stands with you, and our thoughts and prayers remain with every family affected by this tragedy,” he said.
Representing the air chief, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Edward Gabkwet, an air vice marshal, said the decision was intended to provide financial stability for the deceased personnel’s dependents while their benefits were being processed.
The ICIR reported that NAF confirmed that 25 people were aboard the aircraft – five crew members and 20 passengers and there were no survivors.
The crash has renewed attention on the safety of Nigeria’s military aviation operations and the financial implications of losing aircraft that are often worth millions of dollars.
The assurance on continued financial support for the victims’ families comes as NAF said its efforts to recover relevant materials from the crash site and investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident was ongoing.
NAF said in its latest statement that the recovery operation has been hampered by the swampy, waterlogged terrain and difficult access to the site, requiring dewatering, engineering support and site stabilisation.
Aneke said the organisation would continue working with relevant agencies to sustain recovery efforts and support a thorough, evidence-based investigation.
He also cautioned against speculation about the cause of the crash, saying the NAF would not draw conclusions until the relevant evidence had been properly examined.
Beyond the financial support, the military said it had facilitated spiritual and psychological assistance for the bereaved families.
Christian chaplains and Muslim imams were engaged to provide prayers, spiritual guidance and pastoral support, while consultant psychologist, Ehize Odigie-Okpataku, a professor, conducted individual interactions and counselling sessions.
To sustain communication with the bereaved families, the NAF said it would provide updates and guidance on administrative and welfare matters through designated liaison channels, including the Office of the Directorate of Veterans Affairs.
Reaffirming the NAF commitment, Aneke said the families’ concerns and the dignity of the deceased personnel would remain central to its response.
“Your grief matters, your questions matter, and the dignity of your loved ones will remain central to our response to this tragedy,” he said.
The NAF said it remained committed to supporting the families, continuing recovery efforts and facilitating a credible investigation into the crash.
The ICIR reported that National Assembly called for a comprehensive audit of the serviceability and airworthiness of NAF aircrafts and investigation into funds allocated for their maintenance.
The Senate and House of Representatives raise concerns over recurring military aircraft accidents, the safety of ageing fleets and the need to strengthen maintenance systems, operational safety protocols, and legislative oversight.
The lawmakers warned that a thorough probe was necessary to establish the causes of the crash, identify possible lapses and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Nanji is an investigative journalist with the ICIR. She has years of experience in reporting and broadcasting human angle stories, gender inequalities, minority stories, and human rights issues. She has documented sexual war crimes in armed conflict, sex for grades in Nigerian Universities, harmful traditional practices and human trafficking.