‘You left me’ – Partner of NAF co-pilot killed in Ondo crash grieves

Joanna Yakubu, partner of Flight Lieutenant I.S. Bako, one of 25 Nigerian Air Force personnel killed in Tuesday’s aircraft crash in Ondo State, has mourned him in an emotional social media post, according to Punch.

In a TikTok post on Tuesday, Yakubu recalled their last conversation, saying Bako told her he was travelling to Abuja but never hinted he would not return.

“It actually Abuja you told me you are going to and you didn’t mention you will not come back. You left me,” she captioned the post.

The aircraft, registered NAF 931, crashed into the swamps of Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos. The NAF said it carried 25 people, five crew members and 20 passengers, and that no survivors were found.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said search-and-rescue operations were activated immediately and coordinated with relevant authorities.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, offered condolences to the families of the victims, calling the crash “a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation.” He assured them of the Service’s full support and ordered a comprehensive investigation into the cause.

The crew members were Squadron Leader MI Aburime, Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje, Flight Lieutenant IS Bako, Warrant Officer Abubakar A and Corporal Uguru HC.