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The Nigerian Air Force says salaries of personnel killed in the October 5, 2026, NAF 931 aircraft crash will continue until their death benefits are fully paid to their next of kin.
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The assurance was given during a meeting with bereaved families on October 28, as the Service pledged continued financial, administrative, psychological and spiritual support.
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NAF says difficult swampy terrain and waterlogged conditions at the Igbokoda crash site in Ondo State have complicated recovery operations, requiring dewatering, engineering support and site stabilisation.
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The Air Force promises a thorough, evidence-based investigation, says it will not speculate on the cause of the crash and pledges regular communication with affected families.
October 28, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has assured families of personnel killed in the October 5, 2026, crash involving its ATR 42-500 aircraft, NAF 931, at Igbokoda, Ondo State, that the salaries of the deceased officers and personnel will continue until their death benefits are fully paid to their next of kin.
A statement signed by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, disclosed that the assurance was conveyed on Wednesday, October 28, during an engagement between the Air Force and the bereaved families to address their concerns, provide updates on the recovery operation and investigation, and outline welfare arrangements for dependants of the victims.
The Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, who represented the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, said the decision to sustain salary payments was part of the Service’s commitment to supporting the families beyond the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.
He conveyed the Chief of the Air Staff’s condolences to the families and reaffirmed the Air Force’s commitment to their welfare, assuring them that the Service would continue to provide assistance throughout the period of bereavement and the processing of applicable benefits.
“The Nigerian Air Force stands with you, and our thoughts and prayers remain with every family affected by this tragedy”, Gabkwet said.
Salaries To Continue Until Benefits Are Paid
The Air Force said Aneke had directed that the salaries of the deceased personnel should continue to be paid until their death benefits were fully settled in favour of their next of kin.
According to the Service, the measure is intended to provide financial stability for the dependants while the relevant benefits are being processed.
The NAF said the directive is consistent with a welfare policy introduced by the Chief of the Air Staff, which places the well-being of personnel and their families at the centre of the Service’s administrative and operational responsibilities.
It added that ensuring the welfare of personnel’s families was important to sustaining morale, commitment and operational readiness.
Difficult Terrain Hampers Crash Recovery
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the Air Force to brief the families on recovery operations at the crash site and the ongoing investigation into the accident.
Gabkwet explained that the swampy and waterlogged terrain at Igbokoda, coupled with difficult access to the location, had created significant technical and logistical challenges for the recovery teams.
He said the conditions had necessitated dewatering operations, engineering support and site stabilisation to facilitate recovery activities.
The Air Force assured the families that it would sustain the recovery efforts in collaboration with relevant agencies.
It also pledged to support a thorough investigation based on available evidence, stressing that it would not speculate on the cause of the accident before the relevant evidence had been properly examined.
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NAF Provides Psychological, Spiritual Support
Beyond financial and administrative assistance, the Air Force said it had arranged psychological and spiritual support for the bereaved families to help them cope with the emotional consequences of the crash.
The Service facilitated engagements with its Christian chaplains and Muslim imams, who provided prayers, spiritual guidance and pastoral support to the affected families.
It also engaged consultant psychologist, Professor Ehize Odigie-Okpataku, to provide psychological assistance through individual interactions and counselling sessions.
According to the NAF, the engagement allowed family members to express their concerns, seek clarification and make direct enquiries about the accident, recovery efforts and welfare arrangements.
The Service said the interventions were intended to address the emotional, spiritual and practical needs of the families with compassion and sensitivity.
Air Force Promises Accountability, Regular Updates
Aneka reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to accountability and continued engagement with the families as recovery operations and investigations progress. He assured them that their concerns would remain central to the Air Force’s response to the tragedy.
“Your grief matters, your questions matter, and the dignity of your loved ones will remain central to our response to this tragedy”, the Chief of the Air Staff said.
The NAF also pledged to maintain open communication with the families and provide guidance on welfare and administrative matters through designated liaison channels, including the Office of the Directorate of Veterans Affairs.
It said it would continue to support the bereaved families, sustain recovery efforts and facilitate a credible investigation while ensuring that the deceased personnel were remembered with dignity.
The October 5 accident involving the NAF 931 ATR 42-500 aircraft occurred at Igbokoda in Ondo State. The Air Force’s latest engagement with the families forms part of its continuing response to the incident, with attention focused on recovery operations, the investigation and the welfare of the victims’ dependants.
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