Nigerians have called for accountability and a transparent investigation into the October 5 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash in Ondo State, following allegations by the brother of one of the victims that the aircraft had developed a technical fault before the fatal flight.
Key Highlights
- A victim’s brother has questioned NAF’s account of the October 5 ATR-42 crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
- He alleged the aircraft developed a technical fault and stopped in Benin before the fatal flight.
- NAF says the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
- All 25 people on board, five crew and 20 passengers, died in the crash.
- Nigerians on X are demanding a transparent investigation; the brother’s claims have not been independently verified.
The reactions follow a video circulating on X in which the bereaved man challenged the air force’s account that the ATR-42 aircraft, identified as NAF 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos before it crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The man, whose sister was a serving NAF sergeant, alleged that the aircraft had travelled from Abuja and stopped in Benin after developing a technical problem.
He also expressed frustration over the delay in recovering his sister’s remains and what he described as inadequate communication from the air force.
The incident has since generated reactions on X, with some users raising concerns about military welfare, aircraft maintenance, leadership and the need for a credible investigation.
Anger Over Military Welfare
Reacting to the development, @ODEpskf questioned the sacrifices made by military personnel in a country where, according to the user, corruption and poor leadership remain major concerns.
“The fact that people are willing to die for a country that is corrupt and overwhelmed with poor leadership still amazes me. I am truly shocked,” the user wrote.
ODE also questioned why Nigerians would choose careers in the military or police, expressing concern about the impact of such tragedies on the families of personnel.
The user added: “Is the love too much or is it that the pay is too much that you will make your family suffer a moment like this and at the end the government will lie about everything to the media why?”
Another user, @unknownisu, shared an account of a friend who allegedly left the Nigerian military after years of service to pursue opportunities in the United States.
“My friend; who’s a lieutenant left without looking back. So many bad experiences with the useless military in Nigeria. I’m so glad he is here in the states with me and proud of what he achieved in 3 years despite 11 years in the military!” the user wrote.
Read also:
- NAF Opens Investigation as Recovery Team Struggles to Retrieve ATR-42 Crash Victims in Ondo
- NAF Plane Crash in Ondo: Swampy Terrain Stalls Recovery as 25 Victims Remain Unrecovered
Calls For A Credible Investigation
However, some Nigerians focused on the need to establish the facts surrounding the crash rather than draw conclusions before the investigation is completed.
@IshakuAudu urged investigators to examine the aircraft’s maintenance history and the decisions made before the flight.
“The investigation should examine the aircraft’s maintenance records, previous technical faults, inspection reports, flight data, crew communications and the decisions made before the flight,” the user wrote.
“The families of the fallen officers and the Nigerian public deserve the truth, not speculation or a rushed explanation,” Ishaku added.
Similarly, @OBoy_Sugal said the crash had revived concerns he previously raised about the condition of military aircraft.
“When I commented on a post about how those aircraft are supposed to have been changed by now instead the government steals the money, one random guy said I was saying what I don’t know and even insulted, now see,” the user wrote.
The reactions highlight public concerns about the safety of military aircraft, the welfare of serving personnel and the importance of transparency in investigations involving military operations.
The Nigerian Air Force had stated that the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State, on October 5.
The service confirmed that all 25 people on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, died in the incident.
The victim’s brother, however, alleged that the aircraft had developed a technical fault before the journey and questioned who authorised it to proceed after the reported problem. These claims have not been independently verified.
The investigation is expected to establish what led to the crash and provide answers to questions raised by the victims’ families and members of the public.
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