Squadron Leader Ahamefule Aham Man-Ugwueje, one of the pilots aboard the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft that crashed in Ondo State, died just two weeks after his wedding.
Man-Ugwueje married Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle in an elaborate ceremony held in Abuja on September 19, 2026.
Details of the wedding were contained in the couple’s invitation and posts shared by vendors involved in the ceremony, including the wedding planner and videographers.
Photographs and videos from the ceremony showed the couple during their wedding, with one of the videographers, Beejay Creates, describing the occasion as “Love in every word.”
The wedding invitation stated that the Holy Matrimony was held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Masters Place, in Utako, Abuja, while the reception took place at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre in Asokoro.
Man-Ugwueje was listed by the Nigerian Air Force among the five crew members who died when the ATR-42 aircraft, registered as NAF 931, crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday.
The aircraft was carrying 25 people, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The Nigerian Air Force confirmed on Tuesday that all 25 occupants died in the accident and released their names.
Man-Ugwueje was identified as the co-pilot of the aircraft. His hometown was listed on his Facebook profile as Umuahia, Abia State, while Abuja was listed as his current city.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the incident as “a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation” and extended condolences to the victims’ families, loved ones and colleagues.
The Nigerian Air Force said a comprehensive investigation had been ordered to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had earlier said no survivor was found at the crash site despite search efforts involving security personnel, emergency responders, local residents and members of the Amotekun Corps.
Aiyedatiwa said residents near the Nigerian Navy base in Igbokoda heard a loud sound before seeing the aircraft plunge into a swampy area.
The governor said the Nigerian Navy initially moved cautiously towards the location to determine whether the aircraft had caught fire or exploded before rescue efforts commenced.
