The Senate has resolved to investigate budgetary provisions for the maintenance of Nigerian Air Force aircraft following a crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, which reportedly claimed 25 lives.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Air Force, Senator Osita Ngwu, who raised concerns about recurring military aircraft accidents and the need to strengthen aviation safety.
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.
The Senate expressed concern that repeated military aircraft crashes had resulted in the loss of military personnel, raising questions about maintenance practices, ageing aircraft and compliance with operational safety standards.
Lawmakers stressed that the operational readiness and airworthiness of military aircraft were essential 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 incidents.
The Senate consequently urged the Nigerian Government to prioritise funding for the regular maintenance and replacement of ageing military aircraft to improve 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 lawmakers further called on the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau to investigate the immediate and underlying causes of the crash and make their findings public.
House of Representatives also orders probe
The House of Representatives has also resolved to investigate the crash.
Following a motion sponsored by the Chairman of the House Committee on Air Force, Kabiru Rurum, the House called for an audit of aircraft in the Nigerian Air Force fleet.
The lawmakers also advocated improved funding to ensure proper aircraft maintenance and strengthen operational safety.
The planned investigations by both chambers are expected to examine aircraft maintenance, funding and safety standards, with the aim of identifying possible lapses and preventing future tragedies.