The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday, October 5, killed all 25 people on board, and prominent Obidient movement figure Serah Ibrahim has publicly named five people she knew personally among the deceased. In a post on her verified X account on Wednesday, October 7, Ibrahim paid tribute to Chikaodi, George Eledan, Aham Manchester, Ukeme Maradona and Brother Isaac, sharing personal recollections that highlighted the human cost of the tragedy.
Obidient Figure Avoided News Until a Cousin Confirmed the Worst
Ibrahim, the daughter of an airman, said she had deliberately stayed away from all news coverage of the crash, overwhelmed by dread about whose names she might find. It was only after speaking with her cousin, who serves as a Pilot Officer, that she learned people she knew were among those on board.
She described Chikaodi, whom she called "a day 1 Obidient" who contributed greatly to the movement during the 2023 general elections, as someone who would have marked his birthday on Tuesday, October 13, just days away. "He (Chikaodi) should be celebrating another year in a few days from now," she wrote.
Personal Tributes: Swimmer, Footballer, and a Smiling Soldier
Ibrahim described George Eledan, whom she called "Brother George the Shark," as an outstanding swimmer who had once worked as a lifeguard at the Air Force pool. "If that was water the plane crashed, He would have been out, I just believe he would have been," she wrote.
She recalled Aham Manchester fondly, noting his nickname in school matched his actual surname. "We called Aham Manchester in school, how cool was it that his actual name was Man U," she said, adding that she would joke with him about holding his wedding at Old Trafford and doing a Cristiano Ronaldo-style "Siu" celebration at the entrance.
She remembered Ukeme as someone who lived for football. "All Ukeme wanted to do was play football. Very fine stubborn boy, anywhere they are having a competition, he's there to form Maradona," she wrote. Brother Isaac, she described as calm and quietly caring. "Brother Isaac was always calm and ever smiling. Smiles too cute for a military man, he always checks up on everyone," Ibrahim said.
Crash Details and Official Response
The NAF aircraft, bearing tail number NGR 931, went down in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State while flying from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos. The aircraft carried 25 people in total: five crew members and 20 passengers. The NAF released the names of those on board and launched search-and-rescue operations following the crash.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, ordered a full investigation into the circumstances of the accident. President Bola Tinubu subsequently declared three days of national mourning. Ibrahim said she still struggled to process the loss. "I can't believe they can't even find any of them. Like nothing at all? What exactly happened to the plane?" she wrote. "I still refuse to believe this."
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo was seen paying a condolence visit to Air Chief Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke at NAF Headquarters, Abuja, following the Ondo aircraft accident. In a separate incident, a Nigerian lady who boarded the Air Peace flight that skidded off the runway at Port Harcourt Airport shared her experience, lamenting that she came face to face with death and thought it would have been the end of her life.
