A resident who visited the scene of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje LGA of Ondo state, on Monday, said human remains, aircraft parts and personal effects were scattered across the area.

In a report, Oluboyo Olusola, the resident, said some bodies were also found inside the water, noting that the difficult terrain initially prevented first responders from reaching the crash site until naval personnel assisted them in gaining access to the area.

Olusola said the incident occurred at about 10 am and that he did not witness the aircraft go down but was alerted by a deafening sound that sent residents rushing towards the scene.

According to him, the condition of the crash site and what was recovered there suggest that there might be no survivors.

“We heard a loud noise like thunder and rushed to the scene, only to discover that it was an aircraft crash. Initially, we thought it was a helicopter but later understood it was an aircraft,” he said.

“It was difficult to access the terrain, but with the assistance of some naval officers, we were able to get there and saw the remains of the aircraft, as well as human remains, clothes, shoes and other personal effects.

“Some of the bodies were also inside the water. From what I saw, it appeared that there was no survivor.”

He added that the difficult terrain and waterlogged nature of the area posed a major challenge to those trying to reach the wreckage.

Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, the Olu of Igbokoda, who also spoke on the incident, said he was in court when the crash occurred and immediately directed some palace aides to proceed to the scene to ascertain what had happened.

The monarch said he initially feared the aircraft could have been a commercial passenger plane, which could have resulted in an even higher number of casualties.

Odidiomo said the aircraft did not crash within the town, adding that such an incident could have resulted in a major tragedy.

“The aircraft crashed into the river and a swampy area. It was raining when the incident happened, and the place was waterlogged,” he said.

“The aircraft did not catch fire, but a substantial part of it has gone into the water.”

Public service workers have threatened to shut down government operations nationwide if the Federal Government fails to address their demands within the next two weeks.

The National Secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Gbenga Olowoyo, issued the warning after public sector unions ended a three-day warning strike aimed at forcing the government to respond to growing concerns over fuel prices, workers’ welfare and the proposed new minimum wage.

The unions embarked on the warning strike from October 2 to 4 after the government failed to act on demands submitted to President Bola Tinubu on September 21. The demands included a reduction in petrol prices, improved salaries and allowances, and the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to begin negotiations on a new minimum wage.
Olowoyo said on Monday, that the warning strike had achieved its immediate objective, claiming about 65 per cent compliance across the country. He said the next phase would be more extensive if the government failed to respond.

“The essence of that strike—because it was a warning strike—was to create awareness and provoke reactions from certain quarters, and it achieved its purpose. Even reports now show that the strike had 65% compliance, across all states of the federation,” he said.

Olowoyo said the workers were disappointed that Tinubu’s Independence Day address did not directly address their demands, adding that the council had therefore decided to prepare for a total strike.

“We are receiving feelers. The body language of the government shows that they may invite us, but we have not received any official invitation. The feeler is that they are putting things together. We are looking up to that, but if nothing is done within one to two weeks’ time, then we go on a total strike,” he said.

He listed the workers’ demands as a drastic reduction in petrol prices, a review of salaries and allowances, and the immediate establishment of a tripartite committee to negotiate the next minimum wage.

Olowoyo said the council was proposing a petrol price of ₦200 per litre, arguing that the current cost of fuel was worsening the financial pressure on workers. He also called for government intervention to cushion the impact of fuel costs while negotiations on wages and the minimum wage take place.

On the proposed wage review, he said the eventual figure should be determined through a tripartite process that would consider inflation, living costs and other economic variables rather than being imposed by any single party.

He also criticised Nigeria’s dependence on the dollar, arguing that the use of foreign currency for crude transactions, imports and several production inputs continued to put pressure on the naira and increase the cost of goods and services.

The latest threat comes after the JNPSNC had earlier demanded that petrol prices be reduced to ₦500 per litre, alongside an immediate wage award and negotiations for a new minimum wage ahead of 2027.

The Nigerian Air Force has released the names of 25 people killed in the aircraft crash that occurred in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday.

The victims comprised five crew members and 20 passengers aboard the aircraft, the NAF said in a statement issued by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

According to the statement, the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed in Igbokoda.

The Air Force said search-and-rescue operations were activated immediately after the accident, with relevant authorities and emergency agencies involved in efforts to locate and account for everyone on board.

However, the NAF confirmed that there were no survivors.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, expressed condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the victims.

Aneke described the crash as a deeply painful incident for the Nigerian Air Force and the country, while assuring the bereaved families of the Service’s full support during the period of mourning.

He also ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The NAF said it would continue to provide timely and verified information as the investigation progresses.

It urged the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified reports, while appealing for respect for the privacy and dignity of the victims’ families.

Ejodame also announced that a condolence register had been opened at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other sympathisers to pay their respects.

The full list of the five crew members and 20 passengers killed in the crash is as follows:

CREW

1. Squadron Leader MI Aburime (Flight Captain)

2. Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje (Co-pilot)

3. Flight Lieutenant IS Bako (Co-pilot)

4. Warrant Officer Abubakar A (Aircraft Technician)

5. Corporal Uguru HC (Aircraft Technician)

PASSENGERS

6. Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus

7. Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye

8. Flying Officer IM Adeshina

9. Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F

10. Master Warrant Officer Matini BA

11. Warrant Officer Nuhu FS

12. Flight Sergeant James RB

13. Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI

14. Sergeant Ani AE

15. Sergeant Izibenikien SI

16. Sergeant Alafuka C

17. Sergeant Mbadugha AN

18. Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC

19. Lance Corporal Eledan GE

20. Mrs Ezeh Nneka

21. Godstmine Tarabina

22. Joy Micheal

23. Sunday Micheal

24. Ukeme David

25. Gideon Omotola