Newly married Squadron Leader Aham Man Ugweje identified as pilot of crashed NAF aircraft

Squadron Leader Aham Man Ugweje has been identified as the pilot of the Nigerian Air Force aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, while travelling from Benin to Lagos.

According to SaharaReporters, military sources said Ugweje, who reportedly married two weeks ago, piloted the ATR-42-500MP Maritime Patrol aircraft, tail number NAF 931.

“The aircraft is attached to Squadron Leader MM Haruna, but he wasn’t the one flying it. It was, however, flown by Squadron Leader Aham Man Ugweje,” a senior Air Force officer said.

Another source said technician Samuel Victor was also aboard, alongside some newly commissioned pilot officers.

The aircraft was on a routine mission when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13 a.m.

The NAF confirmed the crash and activated search-and-rescue operations. Preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard the aircraft.