The Ijaw Nation and Bayelsa State have been thrown into mourning following the death of four indigenes of the state in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash at Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The military aircraft, NAF 931, crashed on Monday, October 5, 2026, while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The Nigerian Air Force subsequently released the names of those on board, with four identified as Ijaw sons from Bayelsa State.
They are Flight Lieutenant Tarila L. Lazarus, from Angiama Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area; Sergeant Charles Alafuka; Sergeant S.I. Izibenikien, from Yenagoa Local Government Area; and Godstmine Tarabina, from Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.
The tragedy has triggered an outpouring of grief from the families, communities and organisations across Bayelsa and the wider Niger Delta.
The Niger Delta Progressive Youth Leadership Foundation (ND-PYLF), in a condolence statement signed by its National President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Diplomat Ambassador Adam E.O.O. Marbo, described the deaths as a profound loss to the Ijaw Nation, the Niger Delta and Nigeria.
The organisation said it was particularly painful that the victims, described as young men with promising careers and futures, lost their lives while serving their fatherland.
“ This is a deeply painful moment for the Ijaw Nation, the Niger Delta Region, the Nigerian Armed Forces and the entire country,” the statement said.
ND-PYLF commiserated with the bereaved families, relatives, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased, as well as the Nigerian Air Force and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The organisation also called for transparency in the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, saying the findings should help strengthen aviation safety and prevent similar tragedies.
Meanwhile, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed condolences to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian Air Force and the families of the victims.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, Governor Diri described the incident as a tragic loss to the nation and extended his sympathy to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke.
Diri said the deaths of the military personnel had left the country in “a moment of shared grief and pain.”
“On behalf of the Government and People of Bayelsa State, I extend our deepest condolences to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigerian Air Force and the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, over Monday’s tragic air crash,” he said.
“This sad incident, which resulted in the death of gallant personnel of our military, particularly the Nigerian Air Force, leaves our nation in a moment of shared grief and pain.
“We stand in solidarity with our military, the families of the victims and the entire nation as we pray that the Almighty God strengthen and comfort all the bereaved.”
The crash has further renewed attention to the sacrifices and risks undertaken by Nigeria’s military personnel in the service of the country.
For the Ijaw Nation, the loss of the four Bayelsans has added a deeply personal dimension to the national tragedy, with their families and communities now left to mourn men who died while serving Nigeria.
The Nigerian Air Force has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
