A Nigerian Air Force pilot has reportedly been identified as the officer who flew the aircraft that crashed in Ondo State.
Squadron Leader Aham Man Ugweje was reportedly piloting the NAF ATR-42 aircraft when it went down in Igbokoda.
The reported identification adds a personal dimension to the tragedy, as sources said Ugweje married about two weeks before the crash
Military sources identified Ugweje as the pilot of the aircraft, which carried 32 people on its Benin-to-Lagos mission.
A senior Air Force officer said the aircraft was assigned to Squadron Leader MM Haruna.
However, Ugweje was reportedly flying it.
“The aircraft is attached to Squadron Leader MM Haruna, but he wasn’t the one flying it. It was, however, flown by Squadron Leader Aham Man Ugweje.”
Another military source confirmed Ugweje’s reported identity and spoke about his recent marriage.
“Squadron Leader Man Ugweje Aham was the pilot of the ill-fated aircraft. Sadly, he got married two weeks ago. The technician is Samuel Victor, but I can’t confirm his rank,” the source said.
Sources also said some newly commissioned pilot officers were among those aboard the aircraft.
One source noted that authorities were still working to establish the identities of everyone involved.
“Some newly commissioned pilot officers were among them.
Even the number of those on board isn’t certain yet.”
The aircraft, an ATR-42-500MP, was operated by the 81 Air Maritime Group in Benin City.
It was used mainly for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, alongside limited transport duties.
The aircraft had been acquired by Nigeria under a $73 million agreement signed in 2007.
It was delivered in 2010 before reportedly undergoing major maintenance in Germany in 2022.
The aircraft returned to Nigeria in December 2024, according to military sources.
The Ondo crash pilot identification comes as authorities continue efforts to establish what caused the fatal accident.
However, President Bola Tinubu has ordered a thorough investigation into the crash.
