NAF to Continue Salaries of Deceased NAF 931 Crash Victims Until Benefits Are Paid
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has assured families of personnel who died in the 5 October 2026 crash involving its ATR 42-500 aircraft, NAF 931, at Igbokoda, Ondo State, that their salaries will continue until their death benefits are fully paid.
The assurance was given on 28 October 2026 during an engagement between the Service and the bereaved families to address their concerns, provide welfare support and update them on the ongoing recovery operation and investigation into the accident.
Representing the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, conveyed the Air Chief’s condolences and reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to supporting the affected families.
Gabkwet said the Service’s responsibility extended beyond the immediate response to the tragedy, assuring the families that they would continue to receive the necessary support.
As part of the welfare measures, Aneke has directed that the salaries of the deceased personnel be paid until their death benefits are fully settled with their next of kin.
According to the NAF, the policy is designed to provide financial stability for the dependants of the deceased while the processing and payment of their entitlements are ongoing.
The Service said the initiative reflects the Chief of the Air Staff’s commitment to personnel welfare, noting that the security and well-being of military personnel’s families are essential to sustaining morale and operational effectiveness.
The engagement also provided an opportunity for the NAF to brief the families on the challenges confronting recovery operations at the crash site.
Gabkwet explained that the swampy and waterlogged terrain, coupled with difficult access to the location, had created significant technical and logistical challenges.
He said the recovery operation required dewatering, engineering support and site stabilisation, adding that the Service would continue working with relevant agencies to sustain the operation.
On the investigation, the NAF assured the families that a thorough, evidence-based process would be pursued to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The Service emphasised that it would not speculate on the cause of the crash until the relevant evidence had been properly examined.
To address the emotional and psychological needs of the bereaved families, the NAF facilitated engagements with Christian chaplains and Muslim imams to provide prayers, spiritual guidance and pastoral support.
Renowned consultant psychologist, Professor Ehize Odigie-Okpataku, also provided psychological support through individual interactions and counselling sessions.
The families were given the opportunity to express their concerns, ask questions and seek clarification on the accident, recovery efforts and welfare arrangements.
Reaffirming the Service’s commitment to accountability and continued communication, Aneke assured the families that their grief, concerns and the dignity of their deceased loved ones remained central to the NAF’s response.
The Service further pledged to maintain open communication and provide guidance on welfare and administrative matters through designated liaison channels, including the Office of the Directorate of Veterans Affairs.
The NAF reiterated its commitment to supporting the bereaved families, sustaining recovery efforts and facilitating a credible investigation into the crash
