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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the House of Representatives in Oshodi-Isolo Constituency I, Hon Lukman Ibrahim Alabi, has commiserated with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the families of the deceased and the nation over the tragic crash involving an Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Ondo State.
The aircraft, identified by the NAF as NAF 931, crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday, October 5, 2026, while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos. The NAF later confirmed that 25 people, comprising 20 passengers and five crew members, were on board and that no survivor had been found.
In a personally signed condolence message on Thursday, Alabi described the incident as a painful loss to the Nigerian Armed Forces and the country, saying the deceased personnel had made significant sacrifices in the service of the nation.
He commiserated with the Chief of the Air Staff, the leadership and personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as the families, colleagues and loved ones of those who lost their lives.
Alabi said that the tragedy should not only be mourned but should also prompt a comprehensive examination of the circumstances surrounding the crash.
He said, “This is a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force, the families of the deceased and the entire nation. We have lost personnel who were carrying out their duties in service to Nigeria, and their sacrifice must never be taken for granted.”
According to him, “My heartfelt condolences go to the Chief of the Air Staff, the officers and men of the Nigerian Air Force, the families of the victims and all those who have been affected by this tragic incident.”
Alabi stressed that determining what happened to the aircraft was important not only for the bereaved families but also for the safety of personnel involved in military aviation.
He said, “While we mourn this painful loss, there is an equally important responsibility before the authorities. The circumstances surrounding the crash must be thoroughly investigated and the cause or causes established.
“We owe it to the families of the deceased, to the Nigerian Air Force and to the Nigerian people to understand what happened. A transparent and professional investigation will help provide answers and also identify measures that may prevent a recurrence.”
The NDC candidate urged the relevant authorities to ensure that the investigation was conducted professionally and that its findings were properly communicated to the public when appropriate.
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“This is not a moment for speculation or assumptions. The facts must be established through a competent investigation. We need to know whether there were technical, operational, environmental or other factors involved,” he said.
Alabi also called for lessons from the incident to be applied to military aviation operations, particularly in the areas of aircraft maintenance, operational procedures, crew safety and emergency response.
He said, “Every life lost in the service of the country matters. We must therefore continue to strengthen the systems that protect the men and women who put their lives on the line for Nigeria.”
He further urged Nigerians to respect the privacy of the bereaved families and avoid spreading unverified information concerning the incident.
“At this difficult time, we should show compassion to the families and colleagues of the victims. They deserve our prayers, support and respect as they come to terms with this irreparable loss,” Alabi said.
He commended the personnel and agencies involved in the search and rescue operation following the crash and urged the authorities to continue providing necessary support to the affected families.
Alabi prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and asked God to grant their families, colleagues and the Nigerian Air Force the strength to bear the loss.
The NAF had said that the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred. The Service subsequently released the names of the 25 people on board and confirmed that no survivor had been found.
The cause of the crash had not been established in the reports reviewed, making the call for a thorough investigation particularly significant.
