The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has assured families of personnel who died in the Oct. 5 aircraft crash at Igbokoda, Ondo State, that their salaries will continue until their death benefits are fully paid.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, gave the assurance during an engagement with the bereaved families on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

The NAF ATR 42-500 aircraft, with call sign NAF 931, crashed at Igbokoda, Ondo State.

Represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Aneke conveyed his condolences to the families and reaffirmed the service’s commitment to their welfare.

He said the NAF’s responsibility extended beyond the immediate response to the tragedy, assuring the families of continued support.

“The Nigerian Air Force stands with you, and our thoughts and prayers remain with every family affected by this tragedy,” he said.

The statement, signed by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the continued salary payments were part of a welfare policy initiated by the CAS to provide financial stability for dependants while death benefits were being processed.

It added that the policy reflected the service’s commitment to personnel welfare and the security of their families.

On the ongoing recovery operation and investigation, Gabkwet said the swampy, waterlogged terrain and difficult access to the crash site had posed significant technical and logistical challenges.

He explained that the challenges had necessitated dewatering, engineering support and site stabilisation.

The NAF, he said, would sustain recovery efforts in collaboration with relevant agencies and support a thorough, evidence-based investigation into the accident.

He stressed that the service would not speculate on the cause of the crash until the relevant evidence had been properly examined.

The engagement also featured spiritual and psychological support for the bereaved families.

According to the statement, Christian chaplains and Muslim imams provided spiritual guidance, prayers and pastoral support, while consultant psychologist, Prof. Ehize Odigie-Okpataku, offered psychological support through individual interactions and counselling sessions.

The families were also given the opportunity to express their concerns and make enquiries about the accident, recovery operations and welfare arrangements.

Reaffirming the service’s commitment to accountability, Aneke assured the families that their concerns would remain central to its response.

“Your grief matters, your questions matter, and the dignity of your loved ones will remain central to our response to this tragedy,” he said.

The NAF pledged to maintain communication with the families and provide guidance on welfare and administrative matters through designated liaison channels, including the Office of the Directorate of Veterans Affairs.

The service reiterated its commitment to supporting the families, sustaining recovery operations and facilitating a credible investigation into the accident.