By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom
Umuahia, Oct. 6, 2026
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has expressed sadness over the death of Sqn. Ldr. Ahamefule Man-Ugwueje, an Abia-born Pilot killed in Monday’s Nigerian Air Force (NAF) plane crash.
Man-Ugwueje was one of the pilots of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, which crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, and made available to newsmen in Umuahia, on Tuesday, Otti described the incident as painful and devastating.
“This accident is both painful and devastating because it has brought untold sorrow and anguish to the victims’ families, their friends and loved ones, the Nigerian Air Force, and the nation at large,” he stated.
He expressed regret that Man-Ugwueje died barely two weeks after he married his wife, Flt.-Lt. Damilola Adekunle, in Abuja.
He said that the tragedy had deprived the couple the opportunity to spend their lives together as husband and wife.
On behalf of his family, the Abia Government and people, Otti expressed condolences to the families of the victims, the Nigerian Air Force and the Federal Government.
He also commiserated with the people of Umuahia, where Man-Ugwueje hailed from, and prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of the deceased and others who perished in the crash.
