African Air Forces Association Condoles NAF Over Crash That Killed 25, Advances 2027 Exercise Plans | Sahara Reporters
The crash also triggered concerns over military aviation safety, aircraft maintenance and the handling of information provided to bereaved families.
The Association of African Air Forces (AAAF) has extended condolences to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria following the October 5 crash of a military ATR-42 aircraft in Ondo State that killed all 25 people on board, as the continental body advances preparations for its 2027 joint exercise.
The aircraft, identified as NAF 931, crashed in a swampy area near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State, while travelling from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos on a routine mission.
According to the NAF, the victims comprised five active crew members and 20 passengers. The aircraft reportedly lost contact with air traffic controllers at approximately 9:13 a.m. before its wreckage was located near the naval base.
The incident prompted President Bola Tinubu to order an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash and declare three days of national mourning, with flags flown at half-mast in honour of the victims.
The crash also triggered concerns over military aviation safety, aircraft maintenance and the handling of information provided to bereaved families.
On October 13, the NAF announced the establishment of a 12-member Aircraft Accident Investigation Board to determine the circumstances and cause of the crash. The investigation is expected to examine flight operations, aircraft engineering and maintenance, human and organisational factors, environmental conditions, air traffic control and emergency response procedures.
The Senate has also initiated an investigation into budgetary provisions for Nigerian Air Force aircraft maintenance following concerns raised over military aviation safety. However, the cause of the October 5 crash has not been established, and no official findings have linked the incident to maintenance deficiencies or any other specific factor.
The aircraft involved was an ATR-42, a twin-engine turboprop used by the NAF for maritime patrol, intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. The Nigerian Air Force operates ATR-42-500MP aircraft through its 81 Air Maritime Group, based in Benin City.
The tragedy has also raised concerns among bereaved families over communication from the authorities and the information available about recovery efforts. In a report published on October 16, Reuters documented the experiences of relatives seeking answers following the crash, including the family of an Air Force sergeant who died in the incident.
Amid the continuing investigation, the Association of African Air Forces conveyed its message of solidarity to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, who also serves as Chairman of the AAAF.
Major General Melissa Coburn, representing the association’s Co-Chairman, delivered the message during the Trilateral Leadership Review Conference involving the United States, Kenya and Nigeria, held from October 13 to 16, 2026.
The conference featured strategic engagements with the Eastern African Standby Force (EASF), visits to key aviation facilities and discussions on preparations for the Association of African Air Forces Exercise (AAAFEX) 2027, scheduled for February next year.
The EASF delegation, led by its Force Commander, Brigadier General Stephen Huria, expressed its commitment to participating in the exercise, highlighting its potential to strengthen Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capabilities, improve interoperability and enhance responses to operational emergencies and humanitarian crises.
The engagements also reinforced the NAF’s commitment to regional cooperation, professional exchanges and the development of collective operational capabilities among African air forces.
Nigeria’s participation in the conference and preparations for AAAFEX 2027 underscore its role in initiatives aimed at strengthening African airpower and improving coordinated responses to emerging security challenges across the continent.
The exercise is expected to provide participating air forces with opportunities to improve coordination, exchange professional expertise and strengthen their capacity to respond to security threats and humanitarian emergencies.
“The engagements further reinforced the NAF’s commitment to regional cooperation, professional exchanges and collective operational capability,” a statement issued by NAF on Sunday said.
“Nigeria’s participation in the conference and preparations for AAAFEX 2027 underscore its contribution to strengthening African airpower and advancing coordinated responses to emerging security challenges across the continent.”