IGBOKODA, Ondo State — October 20, 2026 — Families of the 25 people who died in a Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, have called on the military authorities to provide more information about the investigation, recovery operations and identification of their loved ones.
The aircraft crashed on October 5 while travelling from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos on a routine mission. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) subsequently confirmed that all 25 people aboard had died.
More than a week after the incident, relatives expressed frustration over what they described as inadequate communication from the authorities concerning the circumstances surrounding the crash and the progress of recovery efforts.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident, while the Air Force has said it is working to recover the wreckage and provide support to affected families.
Families Seek Information About Victims
One of the relatives seeking answers is Victor Anii, a London-based software developer whose elder sister, Esther Anii, a sergeant in the Nigerian Air Force, was among those killed.
According to a Reuters report published on October 16, Victor said his sister had contacted him on the morning of the crash to request money for a bus journey from Benin City to Lagos.
He explained that she had told him the group had travelled from Abuja but stopped in Benin City because of an aircraft problem. She was considering continuing the journey by road after the delay.
Hours later, the family learned that an Air Force aircraft travelling between Benin City and Lagos had crashed.
Victor said the family initially struggled to establish what had happened because they could not reach his sister or some of the other people aboard the aircraft.
The family eventually confirmed Esther’s death after the Air Force released the list of people on board.
Frustrated by the communication they had received, Victor publicly criticised the military’s handling of information provided to bereaved families.
He said a military commander subsequently visited his parents’ residence in Abuja with a condolence letter and another envelope. The family declined to open the second envelope because they suspected it contained money.
The Air Force’s spokesperson referred Reuters to official statements about assistance for families and the ongoing recovery operation.
Another Family Reports Lack of Contact
Damilola Folorunsho, whose 36-year-old brother, Sunday, was among the six civilians reported to have been aboard the aircraft, also expressed concern over the lack of information.
She told Reuters that her family had not received direct communication about the recovery of her brother’s remains or the progress of the investigation.
The uncertainty has added to the distress experienced by relatives trying to establish what happened to their loved ones.
Families have called for more regular updates, clearer explanations and information about the steps being taken to determine the cause of the accident.
Air Force Continues Recovery Operation
The aircraft crashed in a swampy area near Igbokoda, a coastal community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The difficult terrain and underwater conditions have complicated efforts to reach the main wreckage.
In an update published on October 16, the Nigerian Air Force said recovery teams had deployed pumping machines to remove water surrounding the crash site. The operation was intended to improve access to the wreckage, which remained submerged and embedded in the riverbed.
The Air Force also engaged the Igbokoda community after residents raised concerns about the impact of the operation on their water sources.
Officials assured residents that their concerns would be addressed through engagement with relevant agencies and appropriate environmental measures.
The service further said it had established a dedicated helpline at its headquarters to help affected families obtain information.
It also pledged to process applicable benefits for eligible relatives, including welfare assistance and scholarships for eligible children.
Tinubu Orders Investigation
President Tinubu ordered a thorough investigation immediately after the crash and expressed condolences to the victims’ families and the Nigerian Air Force.
The military subsequently announced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The inquiry is expected to examine the circumstances of the flight and determine the factors that led to the aircraft’s loss.
However, as of the latest reports cited here, the Air Force had not publicly established the cause of the crash.
Reports of a possible technical problem before the flight’s final leg have emerged through accounts from relatives, but those claims have not been confirmed by an official investigation.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid treating unverified explanations as established findings while the inquiry continues.
Questions Over Military Aviation Safety
The crash has renewed public concern about aircraft safety, maintenance and accountability within Nigeria’s military aviation system.
Reuters reported that publicly documented Nigerian Air Force aircraft accidents had resulted in multiple fatalities in the five years preceding the October 2026 incident.
The tragedy has also prompted renewed calls for transparent investigations and improved communication with the families of military personnel and other passengers.
For the bereaved families, the immediate concerns remain obtaining reliable information, learning the status of recovery operations and understanding what caused the aircraft to crash.
The investigation’s findings are expected to provide a clearer account of the incident and help authorities determine whether additional safety measures are required.
Sources: Reuters, The Guardian Nigeria, Nigerian Air Force statements and Channels Television.
Original reports:
1. The Guardian Nigeria — ‘We still have no answers’: Families await closure after NAF crash: https://guardian.ng/news/we-still-have-no-answers-families-await-closure-after-naf-crash/
2. Reuters — Families wait for answers after Nigerian military plane crash: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/families-wait-answers-after-nigerian-military-plane-crash-2026-10-16/
3. Channels Television — NAF assures Igbokoda community of engagement on environmental concerns after aircraft accident: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/10/15/naf-assures-igbokoda-community-of-engagement-on-environmental-concerns-after-aircraft-accident/
