Military Crash: Late Air Force Sergeant’s Brother Alleges Aircraft Had Technical Fault

The brother of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) sergeant who died in the October 5 military aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, has accused the service of operating an aircraft with an alleged technical fault and failing to provide a comprehensive account of the incident.

The bereaved man, who claimed his sister was among the victims, said he had evidence suggesting that the aircraft developed a technical problem before the crash.

He made the allegations in a video shared online, presenting screenshots of conversations he said he had with his late sister before the incident.

The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, identified as NAF 931, crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, reportedly killing all 25 people on board, comprising 20 passengers and five crew members.

The Air Force had stated that the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos when the crash occurred.

However, the victim’s brother questioned the military’s account, alleging that the aircraft had experienced a mechanical fault before the incident and accusing the service of downplaying the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

“Who flies a faulty aircraft? The Nigerian Air Force flew a faulty aircraft that crashed, and now they have lied about it. They lie and try to make the situation less severe, and now there is damage control everywhere,” he said.

According to him, the incident has plunged his family and those of other victims into mourning, adding that the tragedy might have been avoided if the alleged technical problem had been properly addressed.

In the screenshots he shared, the late sergeant reportedly informed him that the aircraft had developed what is known in military aviation as a “snag” while in Benin.

She also allegedly told him that she did not have the ₦17,000 required for transportation to return home.

The brother subsequently presented what appeared to be a transfer receipt showing that he had sent the money to his sister, alongside a message in which she thanked him.

He also expressed concern over what he described as his sister’s persistent financial difficulties despite having served in the Nigerian Air Force for more than 11 years.

“How can someone who has been in the NAF for over 11 years not have ₦17,000? This has been something I have been battling with for years with my sister. My sister never has money,” he said.

The bereaved man further challenged the military’s account of the aircraft’s movement, claiming that it had arrived from Abuja rather than operating on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

Addressing the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, he questioned why, in his view, the Air Force had not provided a more detailed explanation of the aircraft’s movements and the alleged technical problem.

“How did the NAF say it was a routine mission from Benin to Lagos? That wasn’t a routine mission. That was a flight coming from Abuja,” he said.

He also demanded an explanation of who authorised the aircraft to continue its journey despite the alleged fault.

“Who gave the command to manage that aircraft to Lagos?” he asked.

President Bola Tinubu had ordered a thorough investigation into the crash following the deaths of the military personnel and other passengers.

As of the time of the original report, the official cause of the crash had not been established, while the Nigerian Air Force had yet to respond publicly to the allegations made by the deceased sergeant’s brother.

The allegations have raised questions about aircraft safety and the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, although they have not been independently verified.