Nigerians have been thrown into deep mourning after it emerged that Squadron Leader Ahamefule Aham Man-Ugwueje, one of the pilots of the Nigerian Air Force aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State on Monday, October 5, 2026, had just gotten married two weeks before the tragedy.
The revelation has added a heartbreaking twist to the already devastating air crash that claimed the lives of all 25 people on board, including five crew members and 20 passengers. Man-Ugwueje was confirmed as the co-pilot of the ill-fated NAF 931 aircraft.
Who Was Squadron Leader Aham Man-Ugwueje?
Squadron Leader Ahamefule Aham Man-Ugwueje hailed from Umuahia, Abia State, according to information on his Facebook profile where he listed Abuja as his current city. In the Nigerian Air Force ranking structure, a Squadron Leader is equivalent to a Major in the Nigerian Army, a senior officer with years of flight experience.
He was part of the 81 Air Maritime Group based in Benin City, Edo State, which operates two ATR-42 aircraft for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations as well as limited transport duties. The aircraft he was flying, NAF 931, is an ATR-42-500MP Maritime Patrol aircraft acquired under a $73 million agreement signed in 2007.
"Squadron Leader Man Ugweje Aham was the pilot of the ill-fated aircraft. Sadly, he got married two weeks ago. The technician is Samuel Victor," a military source confirmed.
Military sources disclosed that the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos when it disappeared from radar at about 09:13 local time on Monday. The wreckage was later located in a swampy area near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, after local residents reported hearing a loud explosion.
Wedded On September 19 In Abuja - Elaborate Ceremony
Man-Ugwueje married his heartthrob, Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle, on September 19, 2026, in an elaborate ceremony held in Abuja. Details of the wedding were confirmed through the couple's official invitation and social media posts shared by wedding vendors.
The Holy Matrimony was held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Masters Place, Plot 826, Solomon Lar Way, opposite the NHIS Headquarters and Customary Court of Appeal in Utako, Abuja at 11am. The reception followed at 3pm at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre, Km 10 Expressway, Asokoro, Abuja.
One of the videographers who covered the event, Beejay Creates, shared footage with the caption "Love in every word" identifying the couple as "Bride Damilola and Groom Ahamefule". Photos from the pre-wedding shoot and wedding day have now gone viral, with Nigerians expressing shock and sympathy for the newly wedded wife who is also a serving officer.
Full List Of 25 Victims Released By NAF
The Nigerian Air Force on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, released the official manifest of all 25 people on board and confirmed no survivors. The statement was issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.
The five crew members were 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) and Corporal Uguru HC (Aircraft Technician). The 20 passengers included Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus, Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye, Flying Officer IM Adeshina, Master Warrant Officers, Sergeants, Lance Corporals and four civilians - Mrs Ezeh Nneka, Godstmine Tarabina, Joy Micheal, Sunday Micheal, Ukeme David and Gideon Omotola.
President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning and ordered flags to be flown at half-mast across the country. He also directed the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, to conduct a comprehensive investigation. The Senate has also suspended its National Security Summit in honour of the victims, while Peter Obi visited NAF Headquarters in Abuja today, October 7, to sign the condolence register.
M2NICE Editorial Note: This tragedy highlights the risks our military personnel face daily even on routine missions. The story of Squadron Leader Man-Ugwueje, who died just 14 days after his wedding, is particularly painful because his wife, Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle, is also a serving officer who previously lost her father, Wing Commander O.E. Adekunle, in a similar 2006 Air Force crash. Our thoughts are with all families affected by this national loss.
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