Vice Chairman Senate Committee On Defence Mourns 32 Victims Of Ondo Air Crash
The Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence and the Senator Representing Delta South Senatorial District, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has commiserated with the families and associates of those who lost their lives in the October 5th air crash of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42.
The Senator joined well meaning Nigerians in mourning the tragic incident that occured on Monday, October 5th, 2026, at Igbokoda, Ilaje local government area of Ondo State.
In a statement titled ‘My Heart is Broken’, the Senator stated that “with profound shock and a heavy heart, I received the tragic news of the ill-fated crash of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, registration NGR 931, near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday, 5th October 2026.
“This national catastrophe, which claimed the lives of all 32 gallant souls on board, comprising of 25 passengers and seven dedicated crew members, while on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos, is one too many.
“The aircraft, which reportedly disappeared from radar shortly after 9:13 a.m. and crashed into a swampy area near Igbokoda with no survivors found, has thrown our entire nation into deep mourning.
“As Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, this is a deeply personal wound.
“These were not just numbers. They were our bravest patriots, gallant officers and men who stood between us and danger, who chose a life of honour and sacrifice.
“My soul weeps for the young co-pilot who had only just celebrated his wedding 16 days ago, for every mother who will wait in vain, for every child who will never see their father return and for every family whose world has collapsed in a single moment. Nigeria has lost some of her finest and bravest.
“I extend my most heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, and to our military head, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede and the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, who himself described this as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation.
“I commiserate with all officers, airmen and airwomen and indeed the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria. Your pain is our pain. The nation stands with you in this dark hour.
“I also sympathise with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and every Nigerian at home and in the diaspora. May Almighty God grant the souls of these 32 fallen heroes eternal rest and grant their families, the Armed Forces and our nation the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss. Their sacrifice shall never be forgotten.
