Ondo crash: Air Force pilot confirmed dead 2 weeks after wedding

Squadron Leader Ahamefule Man-Ugwueje, one of the co-pilots aboard the Nigerian Air Force ATR 42-500MP aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo state, on Monday, was killed in the accident just two weeks after his wedding.

Man-Ugwueje reportedly got married to Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle on September 20, 2026 in an elaborate ceremony held in Abuja.

The wedding took place about two weeks before the Nigerian Air Force aircraft, registered as NAF 931, crashed during a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

Wedding memories emerge after crash

Following the crash, pages belonging to the wedding planner and vendors involved in the ceremony showed photographs and videos from the couple’s wedding in Abuja.

Man-Ugwueje was reportedly survived by his young wife, parents and other family members.

Information on his Facebook profile indicates that his hometown was listed as Umuahia, Abia State, while Abuja was listed as his current city.

A Squadron Leader in the Nigerian Air Force is equivalent in rank to a Major in the Nigerian Army.

NAF confirms deaths of all 25 occupants

The aircraft had 25 people on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, when it crashed at Igbokoda while carrying out the routine flight.

The Nigerian Air Force on Tuesday confirmed that all 25 people aboard the aircraft died in the accident and released their names.

The crash has prompted mourning across the military community as details about the victims and the circumstances surrounding the incident continue to emerge.

Aircraft had returned from storage

The ill-fated aircraft, an ATR 42-500MP, was reportedly returned from storage and underwent PDM maintenance at Mönchengladbach, Germany, in December 2024 after being stored there since 2021.

Aviation records indicate that the aircraft was about 18 years old.

Since its return to service in 2024, the aircraft had reportedly been used for VIP movement, airlifting students and personnel, as well as other operational duties.

It had continued to operate until Monday’s fatal crash at Igbokoda, which claimed the lives of all 25 occupants.