The Senate Chief Whip, Most Distinguished Senator Muhammed Tahir Monguno, Esq., has joined the Senate in resolving to thoroughly investigate budgetary provisions for the maintenance of Nigerian Air Force aircraft following the tragic ATR-42 crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, which claimed 25 lives.
The resolution was sparked by a motion presented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Air Force, Senator Osita Ngwu, who recalled that the aircraft (tail number NGR 931) crashed near the Naval Base in Ilaje Local Government Area on October 5, 2026, while on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos.
Expressing deep concern over recurring military aircraft accidents, Senator Monguno and the lawmakers raised grave questions about aircraft serviceability, ageing fleets, and compliance with operational safety standards, warning that operational readiness and airworthiness are vital to national security, intelligence gathering, and defense.
Emphasizing that a failure to conduct a transparent investigation could undermine future safety efforts, the Senate urged the Federal Government to prioritize funding for regular maintenance and fleet modernization to protect the lives of military personnel.
To ensure accountability, the Senate mandated its Committees on Air Force and Aviation to visit the crash site, engage Nigerian Air Force authorities, and perform a comprehensive audit of all operational aircraft across military and presidential fleets.
Furthermore, Senator Monguno and his colleagues formally called on both the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to conduct an exhaustive probe into the immediate and underlying causes of the crash and make their findings public.
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