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Gov. Alex Otti Mourns Abia-Born Air Force Pilot, Ahamefule Aham Man-Ugwueje, Killed in Ondo Plane Crash, Two Weeks After Wedding
Gov. Alex Otti Mourns Abia-Born Air Force Pilot, Ahamefule Aham Man-Ugwueje, Killed in Ondo Plane Crash, Two Weeks After Wedding
The Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has expressed deep sadness over the death of Squadron Leader Ahamefule Aham Man-Ugwueje, an Abia-born Nigerian Air Force pilot who was among the personnel killed in the crash of an NAF ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday, October 5, 2026.
The governor described the incident as a painful and devastating tragedy that has brought grief to the families of the victims, their colleagues in the Nigerian Air Force and the nation at large.
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Squadron Leader Man-Ugwueje, who hailed from Umuahia, Abia State, was one of the pilots aboard the Nigerian Air Force aircraft, NAF 931, which crashed in Igbokoda.
The tragedy has attracted particular sorrow because the pilot had only recently begun a new chapter of his life, having married Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle in an elaborate wedding ceremony in Abuja on September 19, 2026, just about two weeks before the fatal accident.
Details contained in the wedding invitation and posts by vendors involved in the ceremony confirmed that Man-Ugwueje and Flight Lieutenant Adekunle exchanged marital vows on September 19.
Information about the late pilot lists Umuahia, Abia State, as his hometown, while Abuja was identified as his current city.
Reacting to the tragic development, Governor Otti said: “This accident is both painful and devastating, because it has brought untold sorrow and anguish to the victims’ families, their friends and loved ones, the Nigerian Air Force, and the nation at large.”
The governor further expressed regret that Squadron Leader Man-Ugwueje lost his life barely two weeks after his wedding to Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle.
According to Governor Otti, the circumstances surrounding his death made the tragedy even more painful, as the young couple had only just begun their journey together as husband and wife.
Governor Otti said the loss had robbed the couple of the opportunity to build and spend their lives together, while also leaving their families, colleagues and loved ones to grapple with the sudden loss.
The Abia governor, on behalf of his family, the Government and people of Abia State, extended his deepest condolences to the families of all the victims of the crash, the people of Umuahia, where Squadron Leader Man-Ugwueje hailed from, the Nigerian Air Force and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
He also prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of the deceased and for God to grant their families the strength to bear the enormous loss.
The statement was signed by Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Public ity, on October 6, 2026.