The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has assured families of personnel who died in the October 5 aircraft accident at Igbokoda, Ondo State, that their salaries will continue to be paid until their death benefits are fully settled.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, gave the assurance on Wednesday during an engagement between the Air Force and the bereaved families to address their concerns and provide updates on the recovery operation and investigation into the crash involving its ATR 42-500 aircraft, NAF 931.

Aneke, who was represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, conveyed the service’s condolences to the families and reaffirmed its commitment to their welfare.

Gabkwet said 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.

The measure, according to the NAF, is intended to provide financial stability for dependants while the applicable benefits are being processed.

“The Nigerian Air Force stands with you, and our thoughts and prayers remain with every family affected by this tragedy,” Gabkwet said.

He said the welfare measure reflected the Air Chief’s commitment to supporting personnel and their families, adding that the service’s responsibility to the bereaved extended beyond the immediate response to the accident.

The NAF briefed the families on the ongoing recovery operation and investigation, explaining that the swampy and waterlogged terrain around the crash site had created significant technical and logistical challenges.

Gabkwet said the difficult access to the site had necessitated dewatering, engineering support and site stabilisation to facilitate recovery efforts.

He assured the families that the NAF would continue working with relevant agencies to sustain the operation and support a thorough investigation into the accident.

The Air Force, however, said it would not speculate on the cause of the crash until the relevant evidence had been properly examined.

The engagement also included spiritual and psychological support for the bereaved families, with Christian chaplains and Muslim imams providing prayers, guidance and pastoral care.

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

The families were given the opportunity to express their concerns and ask questions about the accident, recovery efforts and welfare arrangements.

Reaffirming the service’s commitment to accountability and continued communication, Aneke said the grief of the families and the dignity of the deceased personnel would remain central to the NAF’s response.

“Your grief matters, your questions matter, and the dignity of your loved ones will remain central to our response to this tragedy,” he said.

The NAF said it would maintain communication with the families and provide guidance on welfare and administrative matters through designated liaison channels, including the Office of the Directorate of Veterans Affairs.

The accident involving the NAF 931 ATR 42-500 aircraft occurred on October 5, 2026, at Igbokoda, Ondo State.

The service said recovery efforts and investigations were continuing.