The Senate has ordered an investigation into funding for the maintenance of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft following a crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, that reportedly killed 25 people.
The decision was reached after a motion presented by Senator Osita Ngwu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Air Force, who raised concerns over repeated military aircraft accidents and the need to improve aviation safety.
Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, Ngwu disclosed that a NAF ATR-42 aircraft, identified in initial reports by its tail number as NGR 931, crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on October 5, 2026. The aircraft was reportedly on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos.
The senator expressed concern over the recurrence of military aircraft crashes, noting that the incidents had caused fatalities and raised questions about maintenance practices, ageing aircraft fleets and adherence to established safety standards.
He stressed that ensuring military aircraft remain operational and airworthy was essential to national security, intelligence operations and defence activities.
Ngwu also warned that failing to conduct a transparent investigation into the latest incident could weaken efforts to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Following the deliberations, the Senate called on the Federal Government to prioritise funding for routine aircraft maintenance and the replacement of ageing military aircraft to enhance operational safety and protect personnel.
The chamber also directed its Committees on Air Force and Aviation to visit the crash site, consult with NAF authorities and carry out a comprehensive assessment of the serviceability and airworthiness of presidential and military aircraft fleets.
Additionally, the Senate urged the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to establish both the immediate and underlying causes of the crash and make their findings available to the public.
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