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From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The Senate has called for a transparent and comprehensive investigation into the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, which claimed 32 lives, while demanding a holistic audit of the serviceability and airworthiness of aircraft operated by the military.
It also urged the Federal Government to prioritise funding for regular aircraft maintenance and the replacement of ageing military aircraft to prevent further loss of lives among military personnel and other passengers.
The Senate further urged the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to investigate both the immediate and remote causes of the crash and make their findings public.
Furthermore, it mandated the Senate Committees on Air Force and Aviation to undertake an oversight visit to the crash site, engage with the relevant Air Force authorities and conduct a comprehensive audit of the serviceability and airworthiness of aircraft in the presidential and military fleet.
The proposed audit is expected to examine the condition of the aircraft and broader safety concerns surrounding military aviation operations.
These resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Osita Ngwu on the tragic crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft on Tuesday in plenary.
The aircraft with registration number NGR 931, which went down near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday, October 5, 2026 while on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos. It had 25 passengers and seven crew members when the crash occurred.
According to the motion, air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft at about 9:13 a.m., while attempts to re-establish radio communication proved abortive before the wreckage was located through a search and rescue operation involving the Nigerian Air Force and other relevant authorities.
The Senate described the incident as one of the deadliest military aviation accidents in Nigeria in recent years, noting that the loss of military personnel and civilian passengers had heightened concerns about flight safety and operational readiness.
It expressed concern that recurring military aircraft crashes had continued to claim the lives of officers, raising questions about maintenance practices, ageing aircraft fleets, operational safety protocols and airworthiness.
The lawmakers warned that without a transparent, thorough and independent investigation, critical lessons from the tragedy might not be learnt, thereby undermining efforts to prevent similar incidents.
The Senate observed a minute’s silence in honour of the 32 victims and extended its condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force, the Ondo State Government and the families of those who died in the crash.
The motion comes as concerns over military aviation safety place renewed attention on aircraft maintenance, operational preparedness and the need for investigations capable of establishing the circumstances surrounding fatal crashes and preventing their recurrence.
