NEWS
NAF Announces Memorial Service, Wreath-Laying Ceremony For Victims Of Ondo Air Crash
NAF Announces Memorial Service, Wreath-Laying Ceremony For Victims Of Ondo Air Crash
The Nigerian Air Force will hold a memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony on November 26, 2026, at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, in honour of victims of the October 5 aircraft crash at Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The ceremony will bring together bereaved families, colleagues, friends and members of the Air Force community to pay their last respects and honour the service and sacrifice of the deceased.
The NAF has recovered the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), aircraft fragments and other evidence from the crash site, with data retrieved from the recorder undergoing analysis as investigations continue.
Recovery teams have retrieved several human remains and aircraft wreckage, while identification of the remains continues amid difficult swampy terrain and environmental concerns at the crash site.
November 15, () – The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has scheduled November 26, 2026, for a memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony in honour of victims of the October 5 aircraft accident at Igbokoda, Ondo State.
Channel
The ceremony, which will take place at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, is expected to bring together bereaved families, colleagues, friends and members of the Air Force community to pay their last respects to the departed and honour their service and sacrifice.
A statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the solemn occasion would provide an opportunity to remember the victims and formally demonstrate the Service’s enduring respect for those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident.
CVR Recovered As Investigation Continues
The memorial announcement comes as recovery operations and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash continue at Igbokoda, where the aircraft wreckage was located.
Providing an update on the investigation, the NAF confirmed that the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), alongside other aircraft fragments and relevant evidence, had been recovered from the crash site.
According to the statement, data retrieved from the voice recorder is currently undergoing analysis and is expected to contribute significantly to the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The investigation is progressing in collaboration with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The NAF said it remained committed to ensuring that the investigation was conducted in accordance with the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, accountability and responsibility, while supporting the independent technical processes required to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Swampy Terrain Hampers Recovery Operations
The Service also disclosed that recovery operations had yielded several human remains and aircraft fragments, with the identification of the recovered remains still ongoing.
It explained that the recovery exercise had been particularly challenging because of the swampy nature of the terrain and the depth to which some parts of the aircraft wreckage had penetrated the ground.
The difficult conditions at the crash site have complicated recovery efforts, necessitating sustained operations to retrieve human remains and other relevant evidence.
On environmental concerns arising from the exercise, the NAF said it was engaging relevant agencies to address the issues and ensure appropriate remediation after the recovery operation had been completed.
Air Force Reassures Bereaved Families
The Air Force also acknowledged the grief being experienced by the families of the victims, reiterating its commitment to providing them with sustained support throughout the difficult period.
It expressed appreciation to relevant government agencies, host communities and other stakeholders for their cooperation and continued support for the recovery and investigation efforts.
The Service assured Nigerians of its commitment to a thorough investigation, responsible environmental management and the dignified remembrance of everyone who lost their lives in the accident.
The November 26 memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony will provide a formal occasion for the military authorities, families and associates of the deceased to commemorate the victims while the technical investigation into the crash continues.
