NAF Plane Crash: Squadron Leader Ugweje Named As Pilot Of Ill-Fated Aircraft

Squadron Leader Aham Man Ugweje has been identified as the pilot of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42-500MP aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday.

The aircraft, with registration number NAF 931, was reportedly conducting a routine flight from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos when it crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.

According to Bush Radio Academy, multiple military sources and a senior Nigerian Air Force officer identified Ugweje as the pilot, while Samuel Victor reportedly served as the aircraft’s technician.

A military source explained that the aircraft was attached to Squadron Leader MM Haruna but was being flown by Ugweje at the time of the incident.

Another source confirmed Ugweje’s identity and disclosed that the pilot had recently married.

The aircraft was operated by the 81 Air Maritime Group based in Benin City. It is one of two ATR-42 aircraft used by the Nigerian military for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations, as well as limited transport duties.

Military sources also disclosed that some newly commissioned pilot officers were among those aboard the aircraft. However, the exact number of people on board and the identities of some of the personnel had not been officially established at the time of the reports.

Authorities were said to be withholding further identities pending the formal notification of the affected families.

The ATR-42 aircraft was acquired by the Nigerian military under a $73 million agreement signed in 2007 with Alenia Aeronautica, now known as Leonardo, and was delivered to Nigeria in December 2010.

The aircraft was subsequently taken to Germany in January 2022 for Periodic Depot Maintenance at the Rheinland Air Service facility in Mönchengladbach.

It reportedly remained in Germany for almost four years before returning to Nigeria in December 2024.

The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the crash and said search-and-rescue operations were underway in collaboration with relevant military and emergency response agencies. An investigation has also been ordered to establish the circumstances and cause of the accident.