NAF sets up 12-member board to investigate Ondo aircraft crash

The Nigerian Senate has vowed to probe budgetary allocations for the upkeep of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft, in the wake of a tragic crash that took the lives of 25 individuals. This decision came after a motion was introduced by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Air Force, Senator Osita Ngwu, addressing the recurring accidents involving military aircraft and the urgent need to enhance aviation safety.

During a plenary session on Tuesday, Ngwu detailed the circumstances surrounding the incident, revealing that the NAF ATR-42 aircraft, identified by its tail number NGR 931, met its demise near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on October 5, 2026, while embarking on a routine flight from Benin City to Lagos.

Ngwu expressed deep concern over the recurrent military aircraft crashes that have resulted in loss of life, questioning the maintenance practices, the age of the aircraft fleet, and adherence to safety standards.

He emphasized that the operational readiness and airworthiness of military aircraft are paramount to national security, intelligence gathering, and defense capabilities. Ngwu cautioned that without a transparent investigation into the crash, trust in the measures designed to prevent future tragedies could be severely undermined.

Consequently, the Senate urged the Federal Government to prioritize funding for routine maintenance and the replacement of aging military aircraft, with the aim of bolstering safety and safeguarding personnel.

To facilitate this, the upper chamber mandated its committees on Air Force and Aviation to conduct a thorough examination of the crash site, engage with NAF authorities, and carry out a comprehensive audit of the serviceability and airworthiness of both presidential and military aircraft fleets. Additionally, the Senate called upon the NAF and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to investigate both the immediate and underlying causes of the crash, and to release their findings to the public.