Senator Osita Ngwu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Nigerian Air Force, has called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, which reportedly claimed 32 lives.
Ngwu made the call in a motion before the Senate following the October 5, 2026, crash involving an aircraft with tail number NGR 931, which reportedly went down near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The aircraft was said to have been carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos when the tragedy occurred.
In the motion, the senator expressed concern over recurring military aviation accidents and their devastating impact on military personnel and civilians, stressing the need to establish the immediate and remote causes of the incident to prevent future occurrences.
He noted that the Nigerian Air Force plays a critical role in national defence and intelligence, making the operational readiness, serviceability and airworthiness of its aircraft essential to national security.
Ngwu further raised concerns about aircraft maintenance practices, ageing fleets and compliance with operational safety protocols, warning that failure to address these issues could expose military personnel and other occupants to avoidable risks.
The senator also emphasised the importance of a transparent investigation, insisting that the circumstances surrounding the crash must be thoroughly examined and the findings made public.
As part of the resolutions proposed in the motion, the Senate was asked to observe a one-minute silence in honour of the victims and extend its condolences to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief of the Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force, the Ondo State Government and the families of those who lost their lives.
Ngwu also urged the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the crash and make the outcome available to the public.
Furthermore, the motion called on the Senate Committees on Air Force and Aviation to undertake an oversight visit to the crash site, engage with relevant Nigerian Air Force authorities and conduct a holistic audit of the serviceability and airworthiness of aircraft in the presidential and military fleets.
The Senate was also urged to call on the Federal Government to prioritise funding for regular aircraft maintenance and the replacement of ageing military aircraft to safeguard the lives of military personnel.
The proposed resolutions highlight the need for stronger aviation safety measures, improved maintenance standards and greater accountability in the management of military aircraft.
