Senate Orders Probe, Aircraft Safety Audit After Fatal NAF Crash in Ondo

The Senate has launched an investigation into the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, which reportedly claimed 32 lives.

The upper chamber, at plenary on Tuesday, directed its Committees on Air Force and Aviation to conduct an urgent oversight visit to the crash site, engage NAF authorities and carry out a comprehensive audit of the serviceability and airworthiness of aircraft in the presidential and military fleets.

The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Senator Osita Ngwu, representing Enugu West, over the October 5, 2026, crash.

The Senate also called on the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to conduct a thorough, transparent and comprehensive investigation into the immediate and underlying causes of the incident, with a directive that the findings be made public.

As part of its resolutions, the chamber directed the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force to provide the relevant Senate committee with details of budgetary allocations for aircraft maintenance.

The lawmakers also want the committee to determine the amount provided for maintenance and whether the funding was adequate to ensure the aircraft’s safety and serviceability.

The Senate further urged the Federal Government to prioritise funding for the routine maintenance and replacement of ageing military aircraft to protect the lives of military personnel and other occupants.

The additional prayer was moved by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo State, and seconded by Senator Titus Zam, representing Benue North-West. It was unanimously adopted by the chamber.

The lawmakers observed a minute’s silence in honour of the crew members and passengers who died in the crash.

The Senate also expressed condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of the Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force, the Ondo State Government and the families of the victims.

Details of the Crash

Presenting the motion, Ngwu said the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, crashed on Monday, October 5, while travelling from Benin City to Lagos on a routine mission.

According to the senator, the aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members when it went down near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area.

Ngwu said air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft at about 8:13 a.m. local time, equivalent to 0813 GMT, and subsequent attempts to reach the crew by radio were unsuccessful.

He added that the wreckage was later located following a search-and-rescue operation involving the Nigerian Air Force and other relevant authorities.

The senator noted that the incident, involving military personnel and civilian passengers, had raised concerns about military aviation safety and operational readiness.

He stressed that the Nigerian Air Force’s role in national defence and intelligence made the serviceability and airworthiness of its aircraft matters of strategic importance.

Ngwu also expressed concern over previous military aircraft crashes, arguing that recurring incidents had heightened questions about maintenance practices, ageing aircraft fleets and operational safety procedures.

He warned that without a transparent and comprehensive investigation, the authorities could miss important lessons needed to prevent similar tragedies.

The Senate’s resolutions are intended to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash, assess aircraft maintenance funding and identify measures that could strengthen aviation safety within the military.