FULL LIST: NAF Releases Names Of 25 Victims Killed In Ondo Crash

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has released the names of the 25 people killed in the Ondo aircraft crash, confirming that five crew members and 20 passengers were on board the ill-fated aircraft.

The NAF 931 ATR-42 aircraft crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the NAF said no survivors had been found.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, expressed condolences to the families, loved ones and colleagues of the victims and directed a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The NAF also urged the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information.

The latest NAF figure of 25 people on board differs from the initial information released by aviation authorities on Monday, when the aircraft was reported to have had 25 passengers and seven crew members. The NAF’s subsequent review identified 20 passengers and five crew members. (State House Abuja)

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• Imo NYSC Abduction: CUPP Faults Security Strategy, INC Seeks Vigilantes’ Role In Rescue

FULL LIST OF VICTIMS

Crew members

1. Squadron Leader M.I. Aburime — Flight Captain
2. Squadron Leader A.P. Man-Ugwueje — Co-pilot
3. Flight Lieutenant I.S. Bako — Co-pilot
4. Warrant Officer Abubakar A. — Aircraft Technician
5. Corporal Uguru H.C. — Aircraft Technician

Passengers

6. Flight Lieutenant T.L. Lazarus
7. Flight Lieutenant M. Akinloye
8. Flying Officer I.M. Adeshina
9. Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F.
10. Master Warrant Officer Matini B.A.
11. Warrant Officer Nuhu F.S.
12. Flight Sergeant James R.B.
13. Flight Sergeant Mohammed A.I.
14. Sergeant Ani A.E.
15. Sergeant Izibenikien S.I.
16. Sergeant Alafuka C.
17. Sergeant Mbadugha A.N.
18. Lance Corporal Ugwuba F.C.
19. Lance Corporal Eledan G.E.
20. Mrs Ezeh Nneka
21. Godstmine Tarabina
22. Joy Micheal
23. Sunday Micheal
24. Ukeme David
25. Gideon Omotola

The Air Force said search-and-rescue procedures were activated immediately after the accident in coordination with relevant authorities to locate and account for everyone on board.

Aneke described the crash as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation and assured the bereaved families of the Service’s full support.

The NAF said it would continue to provide verified updates as the investigation progresses.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also declared three days of national mourning for the personnel who died in the crash and directed that national flags be flown at half-mast. He also ordered a thorough investigation into the accident. (State House Abuja)

The exact cause of the Ondo plane crash remains under investigation.

FULL LIST: NAF Releases Names Of 25 Victims Killed In Ondo Crash

Former NADECO Leader Ralph Obioha Dies At 80

Chief Ralph Obioha, a prominent pro-democracy activist, businessman, politician and former chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), has died at the age of 80.

Obioha died on Saturday, October 3, 2026, his family announced in a statement signed by his son, Chima Obioha, in Enugu.

The family did not disclose the cause of death but described the late elder statesman as a beloved father, husband, brother, grandfather and friend whose life was marked by service, generosity and commitment to Nigeria.

Obioha was one of the prominent figures in Nigeria’s June 12 pro-democracy struggle following the annulment of the 1993 presidential election won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola.

As a leading member of NADECO, he was involved in efforts to restore the June 12 mandate and end military rule. During the turbulent years of the 1990s, he operated from Canada and the United States as part of the external pro-democracy movement.

Beyond his activism, Obioha served as a member of the House of Representatives during the Second Republic, between 1979 and 1983.

He later founded the Justice Party, which fielded Reverend Chris Okotie as its presidential candidate in the 2003 election. He was also involved in the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and served as chairman of its caretaker committee.

Obioha, who was the traditional ruler known as Okpuruisizuruoha II of Arondizuogu, was also active in Nigeria’s business and socio-economic sectors.

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In June 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu included Obioha among Nigerians selected for national honours in recognition of their roles in the struggle for democracy and the actualisation of the June 12 mandate.

However, Obioha subsequently declined the honour, citing concerns over the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu and the security situation in the country.

In January 2026, Obioha also spoke publicly about the controversy surrounding the 1966 military coup, rejecting the description of the event as an “Igbo coup.”

The Obioha family said the late elder statesman’s life was defined by his belief in Nigeria’s potential and his commitment to service, leadership and nation-building.

“His passing has left an immeasurable void in our family, but we find comfort in the fullness of his life, the people he touched, and the legacy of service he leaves behind,” the family said.

The family thanked Nigerians for their condolences and prayers and requested privacy as it mourns the former NADECO leader.

Details of his funeral and memorial arrangements are expected to be announced later.

Former NADECO Leader Ralph Obioha Dies At 80

Imo NYSC Abduction: CUPP Faults Security Strategy, INC Seeks Vigilantes’ Role In Rescue

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has criticised Nigeria’s security strategy following the abduction of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State, while the Igbo National Council (INC) has called for the involvement of credible community vigilantes in the ongoing rescue operation.

The prospective corps members were abducted along the Owerri–Onitsha Road near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area on October 1 while travelling from Ibadan to orientation camps in the South-East and South-South.

CUPP described the incident as a serious failure of the country’s security architecture and demanded the immediate and safe rescue of those still in captivity.

The coalition said the attack raised questions about intelligence gathering, highway surveillance, security patrols and rapid response, particularly because the victims were travelling along a major highway.

CUPP spokesperson Agu Diamond Bryan said the victims were graduates travelling to fulfil a national obligation and should not have been exposed to such danger.

The coalition called on the Inspector-General of Police and other security chiefs to take direct operational responsibility for the rescue operation, while urging the Police, Army, Air Force, Department of State Services and Defence Intelligence Agency to deploy their intelligence and operational capabilities.

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It also demanded regular and credible updates for the victims’ families, an investigation into how the abduction occurred, and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

The development comes as security agencies continue efforts to locate the abducted prospective corps members.

Imo State Commissioner of Police Audu Bosso said security operatives had used drone surveillance to identify the location of the suspected kidnappers’ camp in the forest.

However, the police have not moved directly into the camp because intelligence indicates that the area has been mined with improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Bosso said security agencies were preparing to use heavy equipment, including bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers, to support the operation and minimise the risk to both the security personnel and the victims.

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Umar Nadada, was deployed to Imo State to coordinate the rescue operation after Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu ordered additional operational assets and tactical teams into the state.

The police have maintained that their priority is to secure the victims’ safe release.

However, there have been conflicting accounts concerning the number of people abducted and the status of some of those reportedly rescued.

CUPP said 10 victims had reportedly been rescued while 20 prospective corps members remained in captivity. Earlier police accounts had also referred to the rescue of 10 people, while reports from families and other sources have disputed aspects of the account.

The conflicting figures have made it difficult to establish publicly the exact number of people still being held.

Adding its voice to calls for an immediate rescue, the Igbo National Council (INC) urged security agencies to incorporate properly vetted community vigilantes with detailed knowledge of the surrounding forests, roads, settlements and difficult terrain.

INC President Chilos Godsent said conventional security forces could benefit from local intelligence provided by community-based security personnel, particularly in areas where unfamiliar terrain could slow down rescue operations.

The group stressed that any involvement of vigilantes should be properly coordinated under the command of conventional security agencies to ensure discipline, accountability and operational safety.

INC also called for the involvement of traditional rulers, community leaders and other credible local structures in gathering information that could assist the rescue effort.

The group urged residents with useful information about the kidnappers or their movements to pass it promptly to the security authorities.

The abduction has also generated concern among families of the affected graduates, some of whom have reportedly received ransom demands from the kidnappers.

One reported demand initially put the ransom at N50 million per victim, although subsequent reports indicated that the kidnappers had reduced the demand.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed the ransom figures or indicated whether any payment has been made.

The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of prospective NYSC members travelling to orientation camps, particularly those making long-distance journeys through areas considered vulnerable to kidnapping.

For now, security agencies are continuing their search operation, with the location of the suspected camp reportedly known but access complicated by the reported presence of explosives.

The immediate priority remains the safe rescue of all those still in captivity, while authorities face growing pressure to explain how the abduction occurred and strengthen security along the Owerri–Onitsha corridor.

Imo NYSC Abduction: CUPP Faults Security Strategy, INC Seeks Vigilantes’ Role In Rescue