Odita Sunday 
NAF to continue salaries of crash victims until death benefits are paid
By Odita Sunday
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has assured families of personnel who died in the October 5, 2026, crash involving its ATR 42-500 aircraft, NAF 931, at Igbokoda, Ondo State, that their deceased relatives’ salaries will continue to be paid until their death benefits are fully settled.
The assurance was given on Wednesday, during an engagement with the bereaved families aimed at addressing their concerns, providing welfare support and updating them on recovery efforts and investigations into the accident.
Representing the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, conveyed the Air Chief’s condolences and reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to supporting the affected families.
Gabkwet said the NAF’s responsibility extended beyond the immediate response to the tragedy, assuring the families that the Service would continue to stand by them throughout the difficult period.
“The Nigerian Air Force stands with you, and our thoughts and prayers remain with every family affected by this tragedy,” he said.
As part of the welfare measures, the Chief of the Air Staff has directed that the salaries of the deceased personnel be paid continuously until their death benefits are fully paid to their next of kin.
According to the NAF, the measure is intended to provide financial stability for dependants while the applicable benefits are being processed.
The Service said the decision reflected Aneke’s emphasis on personnel welfare, noting that the well-being of military personnel and the security of their families remained essential to sustaining morale, commitment and operational readiness.
The engagement also provided an opportunity for the NAF to brief the families on the ongoing recovery operation and investigation into the crash.
Gabkwet explained that the swampy, waterlogged terrain and difficult access to the crash site had created significant technical and logistical challenges, requiring dewatering, engineering support and site stabilisation.
He assured the families that recovery efforts would continue in collaboration with relevant agencies, while the investigation would be conducted thoroughly and based on available evidence.
The NAF representative stressed that the Service would not speculate on the cause of the accident until the relevant evidence had been properly examined.
In recognition of the emotional and psychological impact of the tragedy, the Air Force also facilitated engagements between the families and its religious leaders, including Christian chaplains and Muslim imams, to provide prayers, spiritual guidance and pastoral care.
A consultant psychologist, Professor Ehize Odigie-Okpataku, also provided psychological support through individual interactions and counselling sessions.
The families were given the opportunity to express their concerns and ask questions about the accident, recovery operation and welfare arrangements.
The NAF said the engagements were part of efforts to address the emotional, spiritual and practical needs of the bereaved families with compassion and sensitivity.
Reaffirming the Service’s commitment to accountability and continued communication, Aneke assured the families that their concerns and the dignity of their deceased relatives would remain central to the Air Force’s response.
“Your grief matters, your questions matter, and the dignity of your loved ones will remain central to our response to this tragedy,” the Chief of the Air Staff said.
The NAF also pledged to maintain open communication with the families and provide guidance on welfare and administrative matters through designated liaison channels, including the Office of the Directorate of Veterans Affairs.
The Service reiterated its commitment to supporting the bereaved families, sustaining recovery efforts and facilitating a credible investigation into the crash, while ensuring that the deceased personnel are remembered with dignity and respect.
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