NAF to Continue Salaries of Personnel Killed in Ondo Aircraft Accident Until Benefits Are Paid
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has assured families of personnel who died in the October 5, 2026, accident involving its ATR 42-500 aircraft, NAF 931, at Igbokoda, Ondo State, that their salaries will continue to be paid until their death benefits are fully paid to their next of kin.
The assurance was given on October 28, 2026, during a meeting with the bereaved families to address their concerns and provide updates on the recovery operation and ongoing investigation.
Representing the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, conveyed the Air Chief’s condolences and reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to supporting the affected families.
He said the NAF’s responsibility extended beyond the immediate response to the tragedy, assuring the families that the Service would continue to stand by them.
“The Nigerian Air Force stands with you, and our thoughts and prayers remain with every family affected by this tragedy,” Gabkwet said.
He explained that the decision to continue paying the deceased personnel’s salaries was part of a welfare policy introduced by the Chief of the Air Staff to provide financial support for dependants while their benefits were being processed.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to brief the families on the recovery operation and investigation into the accident. Gabkwet explained that the swampy, waterlogged terrain and difficult access to the crash site had created 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, evidence-based investigation. He added that the Service would not speculate on the cause of the accident until the available evidence had been properly examined.
To support the families emotionally and spiritually, the NAF also arranged engagements with Christian chaplains and Muslim imams to provide prayers, counselling and pastoral care.
In addition, consultant psychologist Professor Ehize Odigie-Okpataku provided psychological support through individual interactions and counselling sessions. The families were also given the opportunity to express their concerns and ask questions about the accident, recovery efforts and welfare arrangements.
The Chief of the Air Staff reaffirmed the importance of accountability and continued communication with the bereaved families, assuring them that their concerns and the dignity of their loved ones would remain central to the Service’s response.
“Your grief matters, your questions matter, and the dignity of your loved ones will remain central to our response to this tragedy,” the CAS said.
The NAF also pledged to maintain open communication and provide guidance on welfare and administrative matters through designated liaison channels, including the Office of the Directorate of Veterans Affairs.
The Service reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the families, sustaining recovery efforts and facilitating a credible investigation into the accident.
NAF to Continue Salaries of Personnel Killed in Ondo Aircraft Accident Until Benefits Are Paid