LIFESTYLE Culture

NAF Assures Families Of Deceased Personnel Continued Salary Payments

by admin on | 2026-10-30 19:10:18

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By Maryam Yahya

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has assured families of personnel who died in the 5 October 2026 crash involving its ATR 42-500 aircraft, NAF 931, at Igbokoda, Ondo State, that their deceased relatives’ salaries will continue until their death benefits are fully paid to their next of kin.

The assurance was given on 28 October during an engagement with the bereaved families, as part of efforts to address their concerns, provide updates on the ongoing recovery operation and investigation, and offer welfare support.

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 Service’s condolences and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the affected families beyond the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.

He said "The continued salary payments were directed by the CAS as a practical measure to provide financial stability for dependants while the applicable death benefits were being processed".

According to the NAF, the measure aligns with a welfare policy initiated by Air Marshal Aneke, which recognises that the well-being of personnel and the security of their families are essential to sustaining morale, commitment and operational effectiveness.

The engagement also provided an opportunity for the Air Force to brief the families on challenges facing the recovery operation and the progress of the investigation.

AVM 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, adding that the investigation would be thorough and evidence-based.

The Air Force stressed that it would not speculate on the cause of the accident until the relevant evidence had been properly examined.

To address the emotional and spiritual impact of the tragedy, the NAF also facilitated engagements with Christian chaplains and Muslim imams to provide prayers, pastoral care and spiritual guidance to the bereaved families.

Renowned consultant psychologist, Professor Ehize Odigie-Okpataku, equally provided psychological support through individual interactions and counselling sessions.

The families were allowed to express their concerns and seek clarification on the crash, recovery efforts and welfare arrangements.

Reaffirming the Service’s commitment to accountability and continued engagement, Air Marshal Aneke assured the families that their grief, questions and the dignity of their deceased loved ones remained central to the NAF’s response.

The Service further pledged to maintain open communication and provide guidance on welfare and administrative matters through designated liaison channels, including the Office of the Directorate of Veterans Affairs.

The NAF reiterated its commitment to supporting the bereaved families, sustaining recovery operations and facilitating a credible investigation into the accident.

The ATR 42-500 aircraft, NAF 931, crashed at Igbokoda, Ondo State, on 5 October 2026.

The subsequent recovery operation has been complicated by the difficult terrain and waterlogged conditions at the site.