Ondo Air Crash: NAF Pilot Dies Two Weeks After Abuja Wedding
By Adewale Owoade
Squadron Leader Ahamefule Aham Man-Ugwueje, one of the pilots of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, died barely two weeks after his wedding.
Man-Ugwueje married Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle at a ceremony in Abuja on Sept. 19, 2026, according to the couple’s wedding invitation and posts by vendors involved in the ceremony.
The newlywed was among the 25 people aboard the aircraft designated NAF 931 who died when it crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday.
The NAF, in confirming the deaths on Tuesday, identified Man-Ugwueje as one of the five crew members on the aircraft and a co-pilot.
The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the crash occurred.
Details of Man-Ugwueje’s wedding emerged from photographs and videos shared on social media by vendors involved in the ceremony.
One of the videographers, Beejay Creates, shared footage from the wedding with the caption, “Love in every word,” identifying the couple as “Bride Damilola and Groom Ahamefule.”
The wedding invitation showed that the couple’s Holy Matrimony took place at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Masters Place, in Utako, Abuja.
The ceremony was scheduled for 11 a.m., while the reception was held later at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre along the Abuja–Asokoro Expressway.
The invitation also identified Man-Ugwueje as the son of a retired Group Captain.
Information on his Facebook profile listed Umuahia, Abia State, as his hometown and Abuja as his current city.
The NAF identified the other crew members who died in the crash as Squadron Leader MI Aburime, the flight captain; Flight Lieutenant IS Bako, co-pilot; Warrant Officer Abubakar A, aircraft technician; and Corporal Uguru HC, aircraft technician.
Reacting to the incident, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the crash as a “deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation.”
He expressed condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the victims.
The NAF said a comprehensive investigation had been ordered to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Earlier, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said no survivor had been found following search-and-rescue efforts at the crash site.
Aiyedatiwa said he was informed of the crash at about 10:30 a.m. on Monday after the chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area contacted him.
According to the governor, residents across the river from the Nigerian Navy base in Igbokoda heard a loud sound before seeing the aircraft plunge into a swampy area.
He said Nigerian Navy personnel initially approached the area cautiously to determine whether there had been a fire or explosion before moving towards the crash site.
“When they noticed that it’s just an accident, they didn’t see any sign of fire. So they moved in, trying to see if they could rescue the people,” the governor said.
He added that officials of the local emergency management agency, residents and personnel of the Amotekun Corps subsequently joined the search operation.
