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Vows to pay salaries until death benefits are fully paid
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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said it will continue to pay the salaries of personnel who died in the ill-fated ATR 42-500 aircraft, NAF 931, crash at Igbokoda, Ondo State, until their death benefits are fully paid to their next of kin (NOK).
The NAF chief said the gesture was in line with a welfare policy designed to provide financial stability for dependants while the applicable benefits are being processed.
The NAF chief gave the assurance when he met with the bereaved families in Abuja, as part of ongoing efforts to provide support, address concerns and keep them informed about the recovery operation and investigation.
Represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Aneke described personnel welfare as a critical pillar of operational effectiveness, recognising that the well-being of personnel and the security of their families remain integral to sustaining morale, commitment and mission readiness.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), while extending his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, reaffirmed the service’s solidarity with them. He said: “The Nigerian Air Force stands with you, and our thoughts and prayers remain with every family affected by this tragedy.”
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The meeting, held at the NAF headquarters in Abuja, also provided an opportunity to update the families on the ongoing recovery operation and investigation.
AVM Gabkwet explained that the swampy, waterlogged terrain and difficult access to the crash site had presented significant technical and logistical challenges, necessitating dewatering, engineering support and site stabilisation. He assured the families that the NAF would sustain recovery efforts in collaboration with relevant agencies and support a thorough, evidence-based investigation, stressing that the service would not speculate on the cause of the accident until the relevant evidence had been properly examined.
The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ejodame, said in a statement that, recognising the profound emotional and spiritual impact of the tragedy, the NAF facilitated engagements between the bereaved families and its religious leaders, including Christian chaplains and Muslim imams, to provide spiritual guidance, prayers and pastoral support during this difficult period.
In addition, he said a renowned consultant psychologist, Professor Ehize Odigie-Okpataku, provided psychological support through individual interactions and counselling sessions. The families were also given the opportunity to air their views, express personal concerns and make direct enquiries regarding the accident, recovery efforts and welfare arrangements. He noted that these engagements underscored the NAF’s commitment to addressing the families’ emotional, spiritual and practical needs with compassion and sensitivity.
Reaffirming the importance of accountability and sustained engagement, the CAS assured the families that “your grief matters, your questions matter, and the dignity of your loved ones will remain central to our response to this tragedy.”
The NAF further pledged to maintain open communication and provide guidance on welfare and administrative matters through designated liaison channels, including the Office of the Directorate of Veterans Affairs. The service remains committed to supporting the bereaved families, sustaining recovery efforts and facilitating a credible investigation, while ensuring that the memory of the fallen personnel is honoured with dignity, compassion and concrete action.
