NAF Crash: Pilot Loses Husband 20 Years After Father Died in Air Accident

The Nigerian Air Force(NAF) aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, has reopened a painful family history for Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle.

Damilola lost her husband, Squadron Leader Ahamefule Aham Man-Ugwueje, just 16 days after their wedding. Man-Ugwueje served as co-pilot on the aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda on October 5.

The tragedy has also revived memories of her father, late Wing Commander O. E. Adekunle, who died in another NAF aircraft crash in Benue State 20 years ago.

In a tragic coincidence, both men lost their lives while serving as Air Force officers, leaving Damilola to confront two family tragedies linked to military aviation.

On September 17, 2006, Wing Commander Adekunle served as co-pilot aboard a NAF Dornier 228 aircraft.

The aircraft crashed in the Oko area of Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State. The accident killed 13 senior military officers on board.

Reports at the time indicated that the aircraft was carrying senior military officers towards Cross River State when it went down.

Two decades later, another military aircraft accident has claimed the life of Damilola’s husband.

Reports indicate that Damilola married Man-Ugwueje on September 19, 2026. The wedding marked the beginning of what should have been a new chapter for the couple.

Man-Ugwueje also came from an Air Force family. He was the son of retired Group Captain Man-Ugwueje and had built his own career within the service.

However, their marriage lasted only 16 days before the Igbokoda crash ended his life.

The tragedy has therefore connected two generations of the family through loss. Damilola lost her father in an Air Force crash in 2006 and her husband in another crash in 2026.

The Igbokoda accident has also revealed other personal stories involving the officers who died.

One of the victims, Squadron Leader Mamud I. Aburimen, was reportedly pursuing a master’s degree in Mass Communication at the University of Benin(UNIBEN).

Aburimen had reportedly visited the university on Friday for a make-up test, days before the aircraft crashed while travelling from Benin towards Lagos.

His death has left classmates and lecturers mourning an officer they described as quiet, disciplined and committed to his studies.

His class representative, Desmond Odiah, said Aburimen and some classmates completed their postgraduate diploma together before moving into the master’s programme.

Odiah recalled that the officer maintained contact with him over academic matters. He also attended lectures whenever his military duties allowed.

According to him, Aburimen usually sat at the back of the classroom and often wore his cap.

He described the deceased officer as “a perfect gentleman” who avoided trouble.

Odiah said their final conversation focused on the make-up test. Aburimen had informed him that he was already at the university for the examination.

Another victim, Flight Lieutenant M. Akintoye, also reportedly spent some of his final hours with his mother, Professor Emily Akintoye, a staff member of Benson Idahosa University in Benin.

Akintoye reportedly visited his mother on Tuesday, which was her birthday, before the aircraft continued its journey.

A family source said the officer arrived home in an Air Force vehicle to celebrate with his mother.

The source said Akintoye also told her that the personnel would continue their journey to Lagos.

“On Tuesday, being the birthday of his mother, he rushed to the house to wish her a happy birthday and inform her that they were on their way to Lagos. A few hours after, the news of the disaster came,” the source said.

What began as a birthday celebration consequently turned into mourning for the family.

The recent marriage of another victim, co-pilot Flight Lieutenant I. S. Bako, has also deepened the grief among the bereaved families and fellow officers.

At the Air Force military base and Air Force Military Hospital, flags were reportedly flown at half-mast as colleagues and relatives mourned the deceased personnel.

Behind the uniforms and military ranks were husbands, sons, fathers, newlyweds, students and friends.

Their deaths have left families waiting for loved ones who will no longer return home.

For the Adekunle family, however, the Igbokoda crash carries an especially painful meaning.

A military aircraft claimed Damilola’s father in 2006. Twenty years later, another aircraft claimed her husband.

The two tragedies have left a painful connection between a father and a husband who both died while serving in the Nigerian Air Force.