Recent Nigerian Air Force Crash Claims 25 Lives, Highlights Past Disasters

A Nigerian Air Force plane carrying 25 military and civilian passengers crashed in Ondo state on Monday, resulting in the deaths of everyone on board. This incident is one of the worst air disasters in Nigeria in recent years.

The Nigerian Air Force has experienced several major crashes since 1980. Here are some notable incidents:

• 1980: A Fokker F27 aircraft crashed in Forcados, Delta state, on May 26, killing all 30 people aboard, including government officials and journalists.
• 1992: A Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport plane crashed shortly after taking off from Lagos airport on September 26, killing all 159 passengers, mostly military officers.
• 1997: A Dornier Do 128 training plane crashed near Kaduna airport on February 24, killing all three officials on board.
• 2000: A Dornier Do 128 crashed while approaching Warri airport on October 26, killing all six people aboard.
• 2006: An 18-seater Dornier 228 military transport plane crashed in Benue State on September 17, resulting in three survivors out of 18 people.
• 2015: A Dornier 228 plane crashed into a house shortly after taking off from a military base in Kaduna, killing all seven aboard.
• 2019: An attack helicopter crashed in northeastern Nigeria on January 2, killing all five crew members.
• 2021: Two separate crashes occurred, with a Beechcraft King Air crashing on February 21, killing seven air force officials, and another Beechcraft King Air crashing in May, killing all 11 people aboard, including Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru.

The recent crash has raised concerns about the safety of military flights in Nigeria, prompting calls for improved oversight and support for the Air Force.