The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has assured the families of personnel who died in the October 5 aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, that their salaries will continue until their death benefits are fully paid to their next of kin.
The assurance was given on Wednesday, October 28, during a meeting between Air Force officials and the bereaved families to address their concerns, provide updates on recovery operations and explain the progress of investigations into the crash involving a NAF 931 ATR 42-500 aircraft.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed the development in a post on the service’s official X account.
Representing the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, expressed condolences to the families and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to their welfare.
“The Chief of the Air Staff had directed that the salaries of the deceased personnel should continue until their death benefits were fully paid to their next of kin,” Gabkwet said.
He explained that the arrangement was intended to provide financial support for the dependants while the necessary processes for paying the benefits were being completed.
Gabkwet also briefed the families on the difficulties confronting recovery teams at the crash site, noting that the swampy and waterlogged terrain, coupled with limited access, had complicated the operation.
According to him, the recovery exercise requires dewatering, engineering assistance and site stabilisation before teams can safely continue their work.
He said the Air Force would maintain collaboration with relevant agencies to recover remaining evidence and support a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
The service also cautioned against speculation about the cause of the crash, maintaining that conclusions would only be reached after investigators had examined the available evidence.
Beyond financial and operational updates, the NAF said it had made arrangements to provide emotional, psychological and spiritual support to the affected families.
Christian chaplains and Muslim imams were made available to offer prayers, spiritual guidance and pastoral care, while consultant psychologist Professor Ehize Odigie-Okpataku provided counselling through individual interactions and support sessions.
The meeting also gave the families an opportunity to ask questions about the crash, the ongoing recovery exercise and the welfare arrangements for their loved ones.
Reaffirming the service’s commitment to accountability and communication, Aneke said the concerns of the bereaved families and the dignity of the deceased personnel 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 further pledged to guide the families through the relevant welfare and administrative procedures using designated liaison channels, including the Office of the Directorate of Veterans Affairs.
The assurance comes as recovery efforts and investigations into the October 5 crash continue.
