The Nigerian Air Force has scheduled a memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony for November 26, 2026, at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja. The ceremony will honor the victims of the October 5 aircraft accident at Igbokoda, Ondo State. Bereaved families, colleagues, friends, and members of the Air Force community will gather to pay their last respects and honor the service and sacrifice of the deceased.
The memorial service announcement comes as recovery operations and investigations into the crash continue at Igbokoda. The Nigerian Air Force confirmed that the Cockpit Voice Recorder, alongside other aircraft fragments and relevant evidence, has been recovered from the crash site. Data retrieved from the voice recorder is currently undergoing analysis to contribute to the ongoing investigation.
The investigation is progressing in collaboration with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. The NAF remains committed to ensuring a professional, transparent, and accountable investigation. The recovery operations have yielded several human remains and aircraft fragments, with identification of the remains still ongoing.
The recovery exercise has been challenging due to the swampy terrain and the depth to which some parts of the aircraft wreckage have penetrated the ground. The NAF is engaging relevant agencies to address environmental concerns and ensure remediation after the recovery operation is completed. The Air Force acknowledges the grief of the victims' families and reiterates its commitment to providing sustained support.
The NAF expressed appreciation to government agencies, host communities, and stakeholders for their cooperation and support for the recovery and investigation efforts. The Service assured Nigerians of its commitment to a thorough investigation, responsible environmental management, and dignified remembrance of those who lost their lives.
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. The technical investigation into the crash will continue, and the NAF will pay salaries of victims until death benefits are fully settled.
The Nigerian Air Force is working to ensure that the investigation is conducted according to the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, accountability, and responsibility. The Service will continue to support the independent technical processes required to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Key points
- The Nigerian Air Force will hold a memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony on November 26, 2026, for victims of the October 5 aircraft accident at Igbokoda, Ondo State.
- The investigation into the crash is progressing in collaboration with relevant agencies.
- The NAF is committed to providing sustained support to the families of the victims.
