The House of Representatives has called for an independent investigation into the October 5, 2026 crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, following public demands for greater accountability and improved safety standards in military aviation.
The House also urged the Federal Government to ensure the timely release of approved funds for aircraft maintenance, spare parts and other critical operational requirements, warning that funding and logistical constraints could compromise aviation safety.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Donald Ojogo (APC, Ondo) during the resumed plenary on Tuesday.
The lawmakers said the proposed independent investigation should complement, and not replace, the routine inquiry announced by the Nigerian Air Force.
They further urged the Ministry of Defence to conduct an immediate audit of military aircraft and equipment to determine their operational condition and reduce the risk of similar accidents.
The House called for posthumous commendations for the pilot and crew of the ill-fated aircraft in recognition of their service, while urging the government to provide appropriate welfare support and compensation to the bereaved families in line with applicable laws and policies.
It also asked the Nigerian Air Force to strengthen its aircraft maintenance and airworthiness management systems, particularly for ageing aircraft, and ensure that only aircraft meeting prescribed safety standards were deployed for operations.
Moving the motion, Ojogo described the crash, which reportedly involved 25 military personnel and crew on a routine flight from Benin to Lagos, as a devastating loss to the country.
He said the incident had plunged the nation into mourning, drawing attention to the risks faced by military personnel in the discharge of their duties.
“This unfortunate incident is second only to the unforgettable 1992 Hercules Air Force Transport that occurred in Ejigbo in a military air mishap,” he said.
Ojogo commended local divers, Nigerian Navy personnel, officials of the local government led by Hon. Maurice Oripenaye, the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency and other state officials for their response to the crash.
“Despite the timely response and selfless efforts of local divers, personnel of the Nigerian Navy, officials of the local government led by Hon. Maurice Oripenaye, Ondo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other State officials, the impact of the crash was devastating enough to record no survivor,” he said.
The lawmaker also praised the pilot’s handling of the aircraft in its final moments, citing eyewitness accounts that the plane had attempted to steer away from densely populated parts of Igbokoda.
He said the pilot’s actions may have prevented further casualties on the ground.
“The professionalism demonstrated by the Pilot of the ill-fated plane until the last minute, as eyewitnesses recounted how the aircraft struggled to manoeuvre away from the densely populated town of Igbokoda. The fact that the final dropping point of the aircraft was opposite the well-equipped and fortified naval base confirms that the Pilot was profoundly professional even in the face of paying the ultimate price. The calamity could have been worse than that if it was otherwise,” Ojogo said.
A similar motion by Alhassan Rumrum (APC, Kano) highlighted the importance of aircraft serviceability to national defence, intelligence gathering, military logistics and operational effectiveness.
Rumrum, who chairs the House Committee on Air Force, expressed concern that the loss of lives underscored the need for sustained investment in military aviation assets and stronger risk-management measures across the Armed Forces.
He warned that inadequate funding, delayed budgetary releases, shortages of spare parts and other logistical difficulties could affect aircraft availability and undermine operational safety.
The lawmaker also acknowledged the sacrifices of military personnel undertaking hazardous assignments in the service of the country.
He commiserated with President Bola Tinubu, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the bereaved families, the Nigerian Air Force, the wider Armed Forces, and the government and people of Ondo State over the tragedy.
The House’s resolutions place renewed emphasis on military aircraft maintenance, funding and operational safety as the authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. The independent inquiry sought by the lawmakers is expected to help establish the facts surrounding the incident and identify measures to prevent a recurrence.