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UPDATED: 20 Abducted Corps Members Regain Freedom in Imo

October 7, 2026 by Maria Adeleke

Twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted while travelling from Oyo State to their orientation camps in Abia State have regained their freedom. The graduates were kidnapped seven days ago along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, while travelling in two buses. The rescued victims are currently receiving medical treatment at the Department of State Services Hospital in Owerri. The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, visited the facility to meet the victims and assess their condition. He was accompanied by the Imo State Commissioner of Police, the Director of the DSS and the Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade. The latest development means all 20 prospective corps members have now regained their freedom. Authorities have, however, yet to disclose details of the rescue operation, including whether any suspects were arrested or ransom was paid. The abductors had reportedly demanded N50 million for each victim, initially putting the ransom at N1 billion before reducing it to N5 million per person, or N100 million in total. Following the abduction, security agencies launched a search operation and reportedly traced the kidnappers’ hideout through drone surveillance. However, access to the location was said to have been delayed after improvised explosive devices were reportedly discovered around the camp. Additional equipment, including bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers, was subsequently deployed to facilitate access. Earlier, the police had announced the rescue of 10 of the victims while efforts continued to locate the remaining captives. Meanwhile, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, commended the security agencies and the governments of Imo and Oyo states for their coordinated efforts in securing the victims’ release. Uzodimma said the sensitive nature of the operation informed the decision to keep details away from the public while efforts were ongoing. He also commended the victims’ families for their patience and urged Nigerians to remain confident in ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity.

FULL LIST: NAF Names 25 Victims of Ondo Aircraft Crash

October 6, 2026 by Maria Adeleke

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has released the names of the 25 people who died in the crash involving its ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The aircraft crashed on Monday while it was on a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos. According to the NAF, five crew members and 20 passengers were on board. No survivor has been found following the crash, the Air Force said in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame. NAF Releases Names of Victims The five crew members who lost their lives have been identified as: Squadron Leader MI Aburime – Flight Captain Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje – Co-pilot Flight Lieutenant IS Bako – Co-pilot Warrant Officer Abubakar A – Aircraft Technician Corporal Uguru HC – Aircraft Technician The 20 passengers have been identified as: Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye Flying Officer IM Adeshina Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F Master Warrant Officer Matini BA Warrant Officer Nuhu FS Flight Sergeant James RB Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI Sergeant Ani AE Sergeant Izibenikien SI Sergeant Alafuka C Sergeant Mbadugha AN Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC Lance Corporal Eledan GE Mrs Ezeh Nneka Godstmine Tarabina Joy Micheal Sunday Micheal Ukeme David Gideon Omotola NAF Begins Investigation According to the Air Force, search-and-rescue procedures were activated immediately after the crash. The response was carried out in coordination with relevant authorities as efforts were made to locate and account for everyone on board. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has also directed a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Aneke described the incident as “a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation” and expressed condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the victims. He also assured the bereaved families of the Nigerian Air Force’s full support during the difficult period. The NAF said further verified information would be released as the investigation progresses. The public was also urged to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information. The Air Force appealed to the public to respect the privacy and dignity of the affected families. Condolence Register Opened in Abuja Meanwhile, a condolence register has been opened at the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters in Abuja. According to the Service, the register is available for government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers who wish to pay their respects to the victims and sympathise with their families. The NAF said it would continue to provide timely and verified updates on the investigation and the recovery efforts.

No Survivor Found Yet as Aiyedatiwa Speaks on Ondo Air Crash

October 5, 2026 by Maria Adeleke

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said no survivor has been found following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state. Aiyedatiwa disclosed this during an interview with Channels Television on Monday, saying residents, security personnel and emergency responders had searched the crash site but had not found anyone alive. The governor said he received information about the incident at about 10:30am after the chairman of the local government contacted him. According to him, residents living across the river from the Nigerian Navy base in Igbokoda heard a loud sound before seeing the aircraft plunge into a swampy area. He explained that the Nigerian Navy initially held back to determine whether the crash had caused a fire or explosion before moving towards the site. “When they noticed that it’s just an accident, they didn’t see any sign of fire. So they moved in, trying to see if they could rescue the people,” Aiyedatiwa said. He added that officials of the local emergency management agency, residents and personnel of the Amotekun Corps later joined the search and rescue operation. However, the governor said no survivor had been located as of the time of the interview. “But from the information we got, no single life was saved up to this moment. They could not see any living soul that was in that aircraft,” he said. Aiyedatiwa said search teams recovered parts of the aircraft, including pieces of the wings, identification cards and military uniforms. The findings, he said, helped confirm that the aircraft was a military plane. “But they saw the ruins, some of the wreckage from the wings of the aircraft, you know, some ID cards, I was told, and then uniform. That was when they knew it was a military aircraft,” he said. The governor described the incident as a painful development, particularly because it occurred in Ondo State and his home local government. He also expressed sympathy for the military personnel involved, describing them as officers assigned to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria. The Nigerian Air Force had earlier confirmed that an ATR-42 aircraft with tail number NGR 931 crashed in Igbokoda while on a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force said search and rescue operations were still ongoing as authorities continued efforts to establish the full circumstances surrounding the crash.

Breaking News:Helicopter Crashes in Ondo, Several Feared Dead

October 5, 2026 by Maria Adeleke

Several people are feared dead after a helicopter crashed in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday. The helicopter reportedly went down in a swampy area within the Igbokoda creek, making it difficult for residents to reach the crash site. A local source said residents heard a loud sound in the area before discovering that the helicopter had crashed. “We heard a very loud sound in the area where the incident occurred, but we could not get there because the place is a swampy area inside the creek. We are just looking at it from afar,” the source said. The source added that police and military personnel later arrived at the scene to begin rescue efforts, although there were fears that some of the occupants may have died. The exact number of casualties was not immediately known as of the time of filing this report. Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Command said it had commenced an investigation into the crash. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said details of the incident were still emerging. “The Ondo State Police Command confirms the reported aircraft crash in the Igbokoda axis of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday, 5th October 2026. Details surrounding the incident are still emerging, as efforts to establish the full circumstances continue,” Jimoh said. He urged residents of Igbokoda and neighbouring communities to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information. “The public will be duly informed as soon as further credible information becomes available,” he added. Meanwhile, the cause of the crash, the identity of the helicopter and the confirmed number of casualties remain unknown as authorities continue their investigation.

UPDATED: 20 Abducted Corps Members Regain Freedom in Imo

FULL LIST: NAF Names 25 Victims of Ondo Aircraft Crash

No Survivor Found Yet as Aiyedatiwa Speaks on Ondo Air Crash

Breaking News:Helicopter Crashes in Ondo, Several Feared Dead

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