Aero Contractors Stands With NAF, Families of Igbokoda Crash Victims
Aero Contractors has expressed solidarity with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and families of personnel and other occupants who lost their lives in the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crash at Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The airline conveyed its condolences during a visit to the Nigerian Air Force Base along Airport Road, Lagos, on Wednesday, October 7, barely two days after the accident.
The crash, which occurred on October 5, 2026, claimed the lives of NAF personnel and other occupants, triggering an outpouring of grief across the aviation community and the country.
During the visit, the Aero Contractors delegation formally conveyed the airline’s sympathies to the Chief of the Air Staff, the leadership and personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, as well as the families, friends and colleagues of those who died in the tragedy.
The airline said the visit was intended to demonstrate solidarity with the military aviation community at a difficult moment and to honour the memory of those who lost their lives while serving the country.
The development also saw Aero Contractors put its Customer Service Week activities on hold as a mark of respect for the victims and their families.
The airline said the decision reflected its conviction that the concept of service in aviation extends beyond interactions with customers and encompasses humanity, compassion and solidarity, particularly when members of the aviation community experience tragedy.
“Going the extra mile is not only about how we serve our customers. It is also about showing up, standing with one another and being present when it matters most,” the airline said.
Speaking on behalf of the airline, its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Ado Sanusi, described the crash as a deeply painful event for the Nigerian Air Force, the bereaved families, the aviation industry and the nation.
Sanusi expressed personal sympathy to the families who lost their loved ones, noting the particularly devastating consequences of the tragedy for families with young children.
“This is an extremely painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force, for the families affected and indeed for our entire aviation community and nation,” he said.
“My personal thoughts and prayers are with the families who have suffered this unimaginable loss, particularly the young families and children who must now carry the pain of losing their loved ones.”
The Aero Contractors chief executive prayed for divine intervention and comfort for those affected by the crash, saying the bereaved families would require strength to cope with their loss.
“I pray that Almighty God, in His infinite mercy, will comfort them, grant them the courage and strength to bear this loss, and give them solace throughout this very difficult period,” he said.
Sanusi added: “We stand with them, we mourn with them, and we pray that God will continue to uphold every family touched by this tragedy.”
The airline also used the occasion to pay tribute to the deceased military personnel, describing their service to Nigeria as worthy of recognition and respect.
According to Aero Contractors, the personnel who lost their lives had demonstrated dedication and professionalism in the discharge of their responsibilities to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The airline said their sacrifice would not be forgotten, adding that their service would continue to be remembered with “profound respect and gratitude”.
It extended its condolences to the Chief of the Air Staff, officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force and all families and loved ones affected by the accident.
The gesture by Aero Contractors comes at a time of heightened attention to aviation safety and closer interaction between the civil and military aviation communities following the Igbokoda tragedy.
The Federal Government has also declared a three-day period of national mourning in honour of those who died in the accident.
The declaration has provided a broader national platform for institutions, organisations and citizens to mourn the victims and acknowledge the sacrifice of those who lost their lives.
For Aero Contractors, the condolence visit was also a demonstration of the shared bond within Nigeria’s aviation industry, where civil and military aviation operators remain connected through their common commitment to air transport and national service.
The airline said it would continue to stand with the Nigerian Air Force, the affected families and the country as they mourn the victims and navigate the difficult period following the tragedy.
