Airforce Disaster: Senate Demands Audit of NAF Aircraft and Maintenance Funds
The Nigerian Senate has ordered a sweeping investigation into the budgetary allocations and funding for Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft maintenance following a devastating military plane crash in Ondo State that claimed 25 lives.
The disaster occurred on October 5, 2026, when a NAF ATR-42 aircraft (tail number NGR 931) went down near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area, during a routine flight from Benin City to Lagos.
The crash killed all 25 military personnel and seven crew members on board.
Resuming plenary on Tuesday after a two-week recess, the upper legislative chamber expressed deep concern over the recurring spate of military aviation accidents. Lawmakers raised sharp questions regarding fleet maintenance culture, the safety standards of ageing aircraft, and strict compliance with operational protocols.
The probe was triggered by a motion sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Air Force, Senator Osita Ngwu.
In a decisive bid to ensure accountability, the Senate mandated the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to launch a thoroughly transparent and comprehensive inquiry into both the immediate and remote causes of the crash.
The lawmakers explicitly demanded that the bureau’s final findings be made public.
Furthermore, the Senate directed a joint delegation from its committees on Air Force and Aviation to execute engage directly with top Air Force authorities and conduct a rigorous oversight assessment on the airworthiness and serviceability of the entire active military fleet.
Urgent Call to Modernise the Fleet
In its final resolutions, the Senate urged the Federal Government to step up funding for regular aircraft servicing and aggressively prioritise the replacement of obsolete, ageing hardware to safeguard the lives of service members.
Before adjourning, the lawmakers observed a solemn minute of silence to honour the 32 victims of the tragedy.
