The immediate families of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel involved in the ATR-42-500 plane crash will continue to be paid their salaries until the death benefits of their loved ones are fully paid by the service.
The assurance was given during an engagement with the bereaved families on 28th October 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to provide support, address concerns and keep them informed about the recovery operation and investigation.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, who was represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, conveyed the CAS’s heartfelt condolences and reaffirmed the Service’s solidarity with the families.
This was disclosed by the spokesperson of the Nigerian Airforce, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame in Abuja on Wednesday.
Air Marshal Aneke reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of families affected by the 5th October, 2026 accident involving its ATR 42-500 aircraft, NAF 931, at Igbokoda, Ondo State.
He emphasized that the NAF’s responsibility extends beyond the immediate response to the tragedy, assuring them of the Service’s continued support. “The Nigerian Air Force stands with you, and our thoughts and prayers remain with every family affected by this tragedy,” he said.
As a practical demonstration of this commitment, the CAS has directed that the salaries of the deceased personnel will continue to be paid until their death benefits are fully paid to their next of kin (NOK).
The measure, in line with a welfare policy initiated by the CAS, is designed to provide financial stability for dependants while the applicable benefits are being processed.
It also reflects the CAS’s emphasis on personnel welfare as a critical pillar of operational effectiveness, recognising that the well-being of personnel and the security of their families remain integral to sustaining morale, commitment and mission readiness.
The engagement also provided an opportunity to update the families on the ongoing recovery operation and investigation.
AVM Gabkwet explained that the swampy, waterlogged terrain and difficult access to the crash site had presented significant technical and logistical challenges, necessitating dewatering, engineering support and site stabilisation.
He assured the families that the NAF would sustain recovery efforts in collaboration with relevant agencies and support a thorough, evidence-based investigation, stressing that the Service would not speculate on the cause of the accident until the relevant evidence had been properly examined