States Name Indigenes In NAF Plane Crash As Search For Bodies Continues

*BY TARKAA DAVID, KALU EZIYI, PATRICK OCHOGA and ATTAH ANTHONY, Jalingo *

As the search for the bodies of the victims of Monday Nigerian Air Force (NAF) plane crash continues, some state governments have released the names of their indigenes involved in the air disaster in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

Among the states that identified their indigenes, who died in the accident, are Bayelsa and Abia States.

One of the victims, Squadron Leader Mamud Aburimen, is suspected to be a native of Edo State.

But as of the time of filing this report, the Edo State government had yet to release any statement on the tragic incident as the governor and other top state officials were not available to respond.

LEADERSHIP however gathered that the governor and other top government functionaries were on a political engagement outside the state capital.

But the Bayelsa State government yesterday observed a minute’s silence in honour of four of its citizens, who lost their lives in the crash.

The NAF named five crew and 20 officers and family members of its personnel in the tragic incident.

According to the state government, the four from Bayelsa identified are Flight Lieutenant Tarila Lazarus (Southern Ijaw local government area), Sergeant Izibenikien Samuel (Yenagoa), Sergeant Ebimobowei Charles Alafuka (Ekeremor) and Godstime Tarabina (Kolokuma/Opokuma).

Governor Duoye Diri, who presided at the 198th session of the meeting in the Executive Council Chambers in Government House, Yenagoa, expressed grief on behalf of the government and people of the state.

The governor, in a statement by his chief press secretary (CPS) Daniel Alabrah, said the state had been deeply affected by the tragedy, noting that he had earlier issued a condolence message to commiserate with President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of the Air Staff and families of the victims before the identity of the victims was released.

He said that, as directed by the President, flags in the state fly at half-mast, and that the state government would liaise with relevant authorities towards taking steps to alleviate the pain of the victims’ families.

In Abia State, Governor Alex Otti, yesterday mourned the death of the state-born co-pilot of the ill-fated aircraft, Squadron Leader Ahamefule Aham Man-Ugwueje.

The special adviser to the governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, stated this as a condolence message obtained by LEADERSHIP in Umuahia, the state capital.

Governor Otti described the crash, which claimed the lives of the military personnel aboard the aircraft, as painful and devastating. He noted that the tragedy had brought “untold sorrow and anguish” to the victims’ families, friends and loved ones, as well as the Nigerian Air Force and the country.

“This accident is both painful and devastating, because it has brought untold sorrow and anguish to the victims’ families, their friends and loved ones, the Nigerian Air Force, and the nation at large.”

Otti lamented the death of Man-Ugwueje, who hailed from Umuahia, noting that his death came barely two weeks after he married his wife, Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle, in Abuja.

“The governor, on behalf of his family, the government and the people of the state, extended his condolences to the bereaved families, the people of Umuahia, the Nigerian Air Force, and the federal government.”

Also yesterday, Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, described the death of Flight Lt. I. S. Bako, a co-pilot in the military aircraft, as a national tragedy.

Governor Kefas, in a condolence message issued to LEADERSHIP and signed by his special adviser on Media and Digital Communications, Emmanuel Bello, , said the nation had lost some of its finest military officers in the crash.

The governor particularly mourned the Nigerian military over the loss, and described Bako as a gallant officer who served the country with diligence, patriotism and professionalism.

“Taraba State has lost a gem and one of its gallant men who dedicated his life to the service of the nation.”

Governor Kefas said Lt. Bako died in active service and deserved to be honoured as a national hero for his sacrifices to the country.

The governor added that the death of the officer was particularly painful to him, as he and the deceased belonged to the same professional constituency, the military.

He also described Bako as a fellow Taraba citizen and a rising star whose promising career was cut short by the tragic incident.

He stated that the late officer would be remembered for his professionalism, good character, friendliness and courage, as such qualities endeared the deceased to his colleagues, friends and family.

Kefas added that Bako was a disciplined and an astute officer who never shied away from arduous assignments, stressing that his contributions to national security would not be in vain.

He said the late officer’s work ethic, professionalism and commitment to duty would remain an enduring legacy and a reference point for younger generations of military personnel.

The governor prayed for the repose of Bako’s soul and urged his immediate family and the people of Taraba to find the strength to bear the irreparable loss.

Meanwhile, the Kuteb Yatso of Nigeria (KYN) in Abuja, have mourned the death of. Bako.

In a condolence statement signed by its chairman, Rimamkyaten Dio, the organisation said the death of the officer has triggered grief within the Kuteb community worldwide.

The KYN president in Abuja, also described Bako as a gallant officer whose death was a major loss to the community and the nation.

According to the association, Bako’s exemplary military career and commitment to national service had made him a source of inspiration to young people in the Kuteb community.

It said the deceased officer demonstrated discipline, dedication and patriotism in the course of his service to the Nigerian Armed Forces, describing his death as a painful loss to his family, community and country.

The organisation commiserated with Bako’s family, the Akenten/Takum traditional leadership, the Kuteb community and the Nigerian Armed Forces over the tragedy.

It also extended its condolences to the families of the other personnel who lost their lives in the crash, praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased.

The organisation urged the bereaved families and the affected communities to take solace in the sacrifices made by the fallen officers in the service of the nation.

From Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who visited the site of the crash at Igbokoda, directed a sustained search for the remains of the victims and wreckage of the aircraft.

Aiyedatiwa, who gave the directive at the scene of the incident yesterday, described the accident as a national tragedy.