Joanna Yakubu, partner of Flight Lieutenant I.S. Bako, one of the 25 Nigerian Air Force personnel killed in Tuesday’s aircraft crash in Ondo State, has mourned the deceased officer in an emotional social media post.
Bako was among the personnel aboard a NAF aircraft that crashed into the swamps of Igbokoda in the Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.
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Yakubu, in a TikTok post on Tuesday, recalled her last conversation with the co-pilot, saying he had told her he was travelling to Abuja without suggesting that he would not return.
“It actually Abuja you told me you are going to and you didn’t mention you will not come back. You left me,” she wrote.
The aircraft, with registration number NAF 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed.
According to the NAF, the aircraft had 25 people on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers. No survivor was found.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said search-and-rescue operations were immediately activated after the crash.
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The statement read, “NAF 931 had 25 persons on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers.
“The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred. Search-and-rescue procedures were immediately activated, with response efforts conducted in coordination with relevant authorities to locate and account for all persons on board. No survivors have been found.”
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, expressed condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the victims.
Aneke described the crash as “a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation,” while assuring the bereaved families of the full support of the Service.
The deceased crew members were identified as 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.
The passengers included Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus, Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye, Flying Officer IM Adeshina, Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F, Master Warrant Officer Matini BA, Warrant Officer Nuhu FS, Flight Sergeant James RB, Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI, Sergeant Ani AE, Sergeant Izibenikien SI, Sergeant Alafuka C, Sergeant Mbadugha AN, Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC, Lance Corporal Eledan GE, Mrs Ezeh Nneka, Godstmine Tarabina, Joy Micheal, Sunday Micheal, Ukeme David and Gideon Omotola.
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The NAF said Aneke had ordered a comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Punch