The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have assured families of personnel who died in the 5 October 2026, aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, that the deceased officers’ salaries will continue until their death benefits are fully paid to their next of kin.
The assurance was conveyed on Wednesday during a meeting with the bereaved families aimed at addressing their concerns, providing welfare support and updating them on recovery operations and investigations into the accident involving a NAF 931 ATR 42-500 aircraft.
In a post on its official X handle, the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the engagement was held as part of the service’s efforts to support the affected families.
Representing the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, expressed condolences to the families and reaffirmed the Air Force’s commitment to their welfare.
“The Chief of the Air Staff had directed that the salaries of the deceased personnel should continue until their death benefits were fully paid to their next of kin,” Gabkwet said.
The measure is intended to provide financial stability for the dependants while the relevant benefits are being processed.
“The Nigerian Air Force stands with you, and our thoughts and prayers remain with every family affected by this tragedy,” he added.
Gabkwet stressed that the service’s responsibility extended beyond the immediate response to the crash, assuring the families of continued assistance throughout the recovery and administrative processes.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the Air Force to brief the families on the ongoing recovery operation and investigation into the accident.
Gabkwet explained that the swampy, waterlogged terrain and difficult access to the crash site had created significant technical and logistical challenges. He said the operation required dewatering, engineering support and site stabilisation.
He assured the families that recovery efforts would continue in collaboration with relevant agencies and that the Air Force would support a thorough investigation into the crash.
The service also emphasised that it would not speculate about the cause of the accident until the available evidence had been properly examined.
To address the emotional and psychological effects of the tragedy, the Air Force facilitated meetings between the bereaved families and its religious leaders, including Christian chaplains and Muslim imams, who provided prayers, spiritual guidance and pastoral support.
