At least four Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel killed in the military aircraft crash in Ondo State had travelled to Abuja for documentation ahead of foreign training courses, THE WHISTLER has learnt.

The four personnel, all engineers, were identified as Master Warrant Officer Matini BA, Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI, Sergeant Izibenikien SI and Sergeant Alafuka C.

Sources who spoke with THE WHISTLER on Tuesday said the personnel had arrived in Abuja for documentation as part of preparations for their deployment abroad for specialised courses.

The aircraft had flown from Lagos to Abuja on Sunday before leaving Abuja for Benin, where it was involved in the fatal crash in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

It was also gathered that Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje, one of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel killed in the aircraft crash was promoted last year and married about two weeks before the tragedy.

Man-Ugwueje was identified by the NAF as the co-pilot of the ATR-42 aircraft.

A social media post by an account identified as “Patriotic Soja” on Tuesday described Man-Ugwueje as the pilot of the aircraft and said he had been promoted last year.

.. also claimed that the officer got married about two weeks before the crash.

“Late Squadron Leader Man-Ugwueje is the pilot of the ATR-42 jet that crashed yesterday,” the post said.

It added that the officer had recently married, while praying for God to comfort his family and grant him and the other victims eternal rest.

However, the NAF’s official casualty list identified Squadron Leader MI Aburime as the Flight Captain and Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje as a Co-pilot.

THE WHISTLER also gathered that another victim, Flying Officer IM Adeshina, had only recently been commissioned as an officer and was reportedly the best cadet in his class.

His death came shortly after his commissioning into the Nigerian Air Force, adding to the grief surrounding the crash.

The aircraft was on a routine mission when it crashed near Igbokoda, prompting search-and-rescue operations by security and emergency agencies.

The crash claimed the lives of personnel on board the Nigerian Air Force aircraft, with the NAF subsequently releasing the names of the victims.

The circumstances surrounding the crash are expected to be investigated by relevant authorities.

At least four Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel killed in the military aircraft crash in Ondo State had travelled to Abuja for documentation ahead of foreign training courses, THE WHISTLER has learnt.

The four personnel, all engineers, were identified as Master Warrant Officer Matini BA, Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI, Sergeant Izibenikien SI and Sergeant Alafuka C.

Sources who spoke with THE WHISTLER on Tuesday said the personnel had arrived in Abuja for documentation as part of preparations for their deployment abroad for specialised courses.

The aircraft had flown from Lagos to Abuja on Sunday before leaving Abuja for Benin, where it was involved in the fatal crash in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

It was also gathered that Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje, one of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel killed in the aircraft crash was promoted last year and married about two weeks before the tragedy.

Man-Ugwueje was identified by the NAF as the co-pilot of the ATR-42 aircraft.

A social media post by an account identified as “Patriotic Soja” on Tuesday described Man-Ugwueje as the pilot of the aircraft and said he had been promoted last year.

.. also claimed that the officer got married about two weeks before the crash.

“Late Squadron Leader Man-Ugwueje is the pilot of the ATR-42 jet that crashed yesterday,” the post said.

It added that the officer had recently married, while praying for God to comfort his family and grant him and the other victims eternal rest.

However, the NAF’s official casualty list identified Squadron Leader MI Aburime as the Flight Captain and Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje as a Co-pilot.

THE WHISTLER also gathered that another victim, Flying Officer IM Adeshina, had only recently been commissioned as an officer and was reportedly the best cadet in his class.

His death came shortly after his commissioning into the Nigerian Air Force, adding to the grief surrounding the crash.

The aircraft was on a routine mission when it crashed near Igbokoda, prompting search-and-rescue operations by security and emergency agencies.

The crash claimed the lives of personnel on board the Nigerian Air Force aircraft, with the NAF subsequently releasing the names of the victims.

The circumstances surrounding the crash are expected to be investigated by relevant authorities.

At least four Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel killed in the military aircraft crash in Ondo State had travelled to Abuja for documentation ahead of foreign training courses, THE WHISTLER has learnt.

The four personnel, all engineers, were identified as Master Warrant Officer Matini BA, Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI, Sergeant Izibenikien SI and Sergeant Alafuka C.

Sources who spoke with THE WHISTLER on Tuesday said the personnel had arrived in Abuja for documentation as part of preparations for their deployment abroad for specialised courses.

The aircraft had flown from Lagos to Abuja on Sunday before leaving Abuja for Benin, where it was involved in the fatal crash in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

It was also gathered that Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje, one of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel killed in the aircraft crash was promoted last year and married about two weeks before the tragedy.

Man-Ugwueje was identified by the NAF as the co-pilot of the ATR-42 aircraft.

A social media post by an account identified as “Patriotic Soja” on Tuesday described Man-Ugwueje as the pilot of the aircraft and said he had been promoted last year.

.. also claimed that the officer got married about two weeks before the crash.

“Late Squadron Leader Man-Ugwueje is the pilot of the ATR-42 jet that crashed yesterday,” the post said.

It added that the officer had recently married, while praying for God to comfort his family and grant him and the other victims eternal rest.

However, the NAF’s official casualty list identified Squadron Leader MI Aburime as the Flight Captain and Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje as a Co-pilot.

THE WHISTLER also gathered that another victim, Flying Officer IM Adeshina, had only recently been commissioned as an officer and was reportedly the best cadet in his class.

His death came shortly after his commissioning into the Nigerian Air Force, adding to the grief surrounding the crash.

The aircraft was on a routine mission when it crashed near Igbokoda, prompting search-and-rescue operations by security and emergency agencies.

The crash claimed the lives of personnel on board the Nigerian Air Force aircraft, with the NAF subsequently releasing the names of the victims.

The circumstances surrounding the crash are expected to be investigated by relevant authorities.

At least four Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel killed in the military aircraft crash in Ondo State had travelled to Abuja for documentation ahead of foreign training courses, THE WHISTLER has learnt.

The four personnel, all engineers, were identified as Master Warrant Officer Matini BA, Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI, Sergeant Izibenikien SI and Sergeant Alafuka C.

Sources who spoke with THE WHISTLER on Tuesday said the personnel had arrived in Abuja for documentation as part of preparations for their deployment abroad for specialised courses.

The aircraft had flown from Lagos to Abuja on Sunday before leaving Abuja for Benin, where it was involved in the fatal crash in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

It was also gathered that Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje, one of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel killed in the aircraft crash was promoted last year and married about two weeks before the tragedy.

Man-Ugwueje was identified by the NAF as the co-pilot of the ATR-42 aircraft.

A social media post by an account identified as “Patriotic Soja” on Tuesday described Man-Ugwueje as the pilot of the aircraft and said he had been promoted last year.

.. also claimed that the officer got married about two weeks before the crash.

“Late Squadron Leader Man-Ugwueje is the pilot of the ATR-42 jet that crashed yesterday,” the post said.

It added that the officer had recently married, while praying for God to comfort his family and grant him and the other victims eternal rest.

However, the NAF’s official casualty list identified Squadron Leader MI Aburime as the Flight Captain and Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje as a Co-pilot.

THE WHISTLER also gathered that another victim, Flying Officer IM Adeshina, had only recently been commissioned as an officer and was reportedly the best cadet in his class.

His death came shortly after his commissioning into the Nigerian Air Force, adding to the grief surrounding the crash.

The aircraft was on a routine mission when it crashed near Igbokoda, prompting search-and-rescue operations by security and emergency agencies.

The crash claimed the lives of personnel on board the Nigerian Air Force aircraft, with the NAF subsequently releasing the names of the victims.

The circumstances surrounding the crash are expected to be investigated by relevant authorities.