# Nigeria Air Force Clarifies Crash Victims Count

> Nigerian Air Force explains why 25 vs 32 crash victims figure differs.
- Title: Nigeria Air Force Clarifies Crash Victims Count · Allafrica
- Summary: Nigerian Air Force explains why 25 vs 32 crash victims figure differs. Nigerian Air Force clarifies that 25 people were on board the ATR 42 aircraft after…
- Keywords: nigerian air force, atf 42, igbokoda, ondo state, crash victims, aviation terminology, military aviation, news, world, politics, Nigeria, Air
- Source: Allafrica — https://allafrica.com/stories/202610080316.html
- Published: 2026-10-08T11:47:04+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nigerian air force, atf 42, igbokoda, ondo state, crash victims, aviation terminology, military aviation, news, world, politics
## Nigerian Air Force Clarifies Crash Victims Count
The Nigerian Air Force explains the discrepancy in reported crash victims between 25 and 32 due to military versus civil aviation terminology differences.

> For air traffic controllers, when they normally communicate '25 souls on board inclusive of seven crew', it is minus the seven.
## Military vs Civil Aviation Terminology
Military counts crew within the total figure while civil aviation includes crew separately in the count.

> However, for the military, the seven is in the 25. It doesn't mean you add additional souls.
## Initial Report Confusion
The Minister of Aviation initially reported 32 people died: 25 passengers and seven crew members.

> The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said 32 people comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members had died.
## Actual Victims Count
The NAF clarified 25 people were on board: five crew members and 20 passengers.

> The NAF said 25 people were actually on board the aircraft, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers.
## Aircraft Crash Details
The ATR 42 aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State while flying from Benin to Lagos on a routine mission.

> The aircraft, NAF 931, crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State while on a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos.
## Crew and Passengers Listed
The NAF released names of 25 people on board: five crew members and 20 passengers.

> The five crew members were Squadron Leader MI Aburime, Flight Captain; Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje, Co-pilot; Flight Lieutenant IS Bako, Co-pilot; Warrant Officer Abubakar A, Aircraft Technician; and Corporal Uguru HC, Aircraft Technician.
## Investigation Ongoing
The NAF is conducting a formal investigation into the crash with a board of inquiry to determine the cause.

> Ejodame said the NAF was relying on established aircraft accident investigation procedures rather than an ad hoc process.
## Key takeaway

Nigerian Air Force clarifies that 25 people were on board the ATR 42 aircraft after crash, not 32 as initially reported, due to military vs civil aviation terminology differences.