Ondo crash: NAF assures bereaved families of salaries, death benefits

The Nigerian Air Force has said it will continue paying the salaries of personnel killed in the October 5, 2026, crash involving its ATR 42-500 aircraft, NAF 931, at Igbokoda, Ondo State, until their death benefits are fully paid to their next of kin.

No fewer than 25 people were on board the aircraft when it crashed, but days after the incident, no remains had been recovered despite the deployment of specialised swamp buggies, among others.

Announcing the measure as part of efforts to support the bereaved families during an engagement with them on Wednesday, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, reaffirmed the service’s commitment to the welfare of the families and assured them of continued support.

A statement by the NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the salary arrangement was part of a welfare policy initiated by Aneke to provide financial stability for the dependants of deceased personnel while their entitlements were being processed.

“As a practical demonstration of this commitment, the CAS has directed that the salaries of the deceased personnel will continue to be paid until their death benefits are fully paid to their next of kin.

The measure, in line with a welfare policy initiated by the CAS, is designed to provide financial stability for dependants while the applicable benefits are being processed.

“It also reflects the CAS’s emphasis on 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 statement said.

The service said the engagement also provided an opportunity to update the families on the ongoing recovery operation and investigation into the accident.

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Aneke explained that the swampy, waterlogged terrain and difficult access to the crash site had posed significant technical and logistical challenges, requiring dewatering, engineering support and site stabilisation.

He assured the families that the NAF would continue the recovery operation in collaboration with relevant agencies and support a thorough investigation into the crash.

“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. “The NAF would sustain recovery efforts in collaboration with relevant agencies and support a thorough, evidence-based investigation. The Service would not speculate on the cause of the accident until the relevant evidence had been properly examined,” the statement said.

Ejodame said the engagement also featured psychological and spiritual support for the bereaved families, with Christian chaplains, Muslim imams and a consultant psychologist, Prof. Ehize Odigie-Okpataku, providing counselling and pastoral care.

He added that the families were also allowed to express their concerns and seek clarification on the accident, recovery efforts and welfare arrangements.

Reaffirming the service’s commitment to accountability and continued communication, Aneke said, “Your grief matters, your questions matter, and the dignity of your loved ones will remain central to our response to this tragedy.”