The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has clarified that 25 persons were on board its ATR 42 aircraft, NAF 931, which crashed at Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday, October 5, dismissing reports suggesting that 32 people were aboard.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, gave the clarification in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday, October 10. He said the aircraft carried 20 passengers and five active crew members, with two non-active crew members included among the 20 passengers.
Ejodame explained that the conflicting figures may have resulted from a misunderstanding of aviation terminology, including the phrase “25 souls on board, inclusive of seven crew.” He said this meant 25 people in total, including seven crew members, rather than 25 passengers in addition to seven crew. He added that the civilians aboard were family members of officers travelling to the same destination.
The NAF spokesman thanked Nigerians and well-wishers for their sympathy and support, saying the service remained committed to assisting bereaved families. He confirmed that investigations into the crash were ongoing and that further information would be released as appropriate. He also urged the media and public to report the tragedy with sensitivity, respect the families’ privacy and allow investigators to establish the circumstances and cause of the crash.
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