Squadron Leader Ahamefule Aham Man-Ugwueje, one of the Nigerian Air Force pilots who died in the NAF ATR-42 aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, had celebrated his wedding only two weeks before the fatal accident.
Man-Ugwueje, who served as the co-pilot of the ill-fated aircraft, NAF 931, 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 social media posts by vendors who participated in the ceremony, including the wedding planner and videographers.
Photographs and videos from the ceremony showed Man-Ugwueje and his bride in their wedding attire, celebrating with family members, friends and colleagues.
One of the videographers, Beejay Creates, shared footage from the ceremony with the caption, “Love in every word.”
The wedding invitation stated that the couple’s Holy Matrimony took place at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Masters Place, located on Solomon Lar Way, opposite the National Health Insurance Authority headquarters and the Customary Court of Appeal in Utako, Abuja.
The church ceremony was scheduled for 11am, while the reception followed at 3pm at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre along the Asokoro Expressway, Abuja.
The invitation identified Man-Ugwueje as the son of a retired Group Captain Man-Ugwueje.
Information on his Facebook profile listed Umuahia, Abia State, as his hometown, while Abuja was listed as his current city.
Barely two weeks after the wedding celebration, tragedy struck when the Nigerian Air Force aircraft he was operating crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The ATR-42 aircraft, bearing the registration number NAF 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed on Monday.
There were 25 people on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers.
The Nigerian Air Force confirmed on Tuesday that there were no survivors, releasing the identities of all 25 people who died in the accident.
Man-Ugwueje was listed among the five crew members killed in the crash.
His death has particularly drawn attention because of the short period between his wedding and the accident, with photographs from his recent marriage showing what was described as a significant milestone in his personal life before the tragedy.
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 expressed condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who died.
The Nigerian Air Force also ordered a comprehensive investigation into the crash to determine the circumstances that led to the aircraft’s destruction.
How the crash happened
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, had earlier disclosed that there was no indication that anyone survived the crash despite search efforts involving security agencies, emergency responders and residents.
The governor said he was informed of the incident at about 10:30am on Monday after receiving a call from the chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area.
According to Aiyedatiwa, residents living across the river from the Nigerian Navy base in Igbokoda heard a loud sound before witnessing the aircraft plunge into a swampy area.
He said personnel of the Nigerian Navy initially approached the situation cautiously to determine whether the aircraft had caught fire or exploded before moving towards the crash site.
“When they noticed that it’s just an accident, they didn’t see any sign of fire. So they moved in, trying to see if they could rescue the people,” the governor said.
Personnel from the local emergency management agency, the Amotekun Corps and other security agencies, alongside local residents, subsequently joined the search and recovery operation.
The difficult terrain around the crash site, however, complicated the operation and recovery of the wreckage.
The deaths of the 25 occupants have triggered widespread mourning across the country, particularly within the Nigerian military community, as investigations continue into what caused the aircraft to crash during its routine flight.
For Man-Ugwueje’s family, the tragedy came just 16 days after he exchanged marital vows with Adekunle, turning what should have been the beginning of a new chapter in their lives into a period of mourning.
