The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has clarified the confusion surrounding the number of people aboard the ATR 42 aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, explaining that a misunderstanding of civil and military aviation terminology led to the initial figure of 32 victims.

Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the discrepancy stemmed from the different interpretations of the phrase “souls on board” used by civil aviation air traffic controllers and the military.

 He explained that while civil aviation communication may state “25 souls on board, inclusive of seven crew” to mean 25 passengers plus seven crew, military usage counts the seven crew members within the total figure of 25.

Ejodame stressed that 25 people were on board the aircraft, comprising five active crew members and 20 passengers. He added that two other military personnel were listed as crew because of their status but were travelling as passengers at the time of the incident.

The clarification followed an earlier statement by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, that 32 people, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members, had died in the crash. 

The NAF subsequently released the names of all 25 occupants, consisting of five crew members and 20 passengers.

The aircraft, identified as NAF 931, crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area while conducting a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos. 

The aircraft disappeared from radar at about 9am local time before the wreckage was later located in a swamp near a naval base. Recovery operations were immediately launched, but the NAF said no survivor had been found.

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.

Meanwhile, the NAF has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. 

Ejodame said the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, had directed that established aircraft accident investigation procedures be followed, with a board of inquiry or committee constituted to determine what happened.

He said the findings would be made public by the appropriate board or committee after the preliminary investigation is concluded, while urging Nigerians to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information.

 The NAF also appealed to the public to respect the privacy and dignity of the bereaved families.