The fatal air crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, which claimed 25 lives, has triggered fresh scrutiny of military aviation safety, with the Senate resolving to investigate budgetary allocations for the maintenance of Nigerian Air Force aircraft.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Air Force, Senator Osita Ngwu, who raised concerns over recurring military aircraft accidents and the need to strengthen safety standards.
Presenting the motion at plenary on Tuesday, Ngwu recalled that a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, on October 5, 2026.
The aircraft was reportedly on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos when the incident occurred.
Expressing concern over the recurring loss of military personnel in aircraft accidents, the Senate questioned the state of aircraft maintenance, the condition of ageing fleets and compliance with operational safety standards.
Lawmakers stressed that the airworthiness and operational readiness of military aircraft were critical to national security, intelligence gathering and defence operations.
They warned that failure to conduct a transparent and comprehensive investigation into the crash could undermine efforts to prevent similar tragedies.
Consequently, the Senate urged the Federal Government to prioritise funding for regular aircraft maintenance and the replacement of ageing military aircraft to improve operational safety and protect military personnel.
It also mandated its committees on Air Force and Aviation to visit the crash site, engage with Nigerian Air Force authorities and conduct a comprehensive audit of the serviceability and airworthiness of aircraft in the presidential and military fleets.
The Senate further called on the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau to investigate both the immediate and underlying causes of the crash and make their findings public.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has also resolved to investigate the incident, signalling a broader legislative push to address concerns over military aviation safety.
Following a motion by the Chairman of the House Committee on Air Force, Kabiru Rurum, the House resolved to audit aircraft in the Nigerian Air Force fleet and called for improved funding to ensure proper maintenance.
The investigations are expected to examine aircraft maintenance, funding and operational safety as lawmakers seek measures to prevent further loss of lives in military aviation accidents.
