Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has expressed grief over the death of Squadron Leader Ahamefule Aham Man-Ugwueje, an Abia-born pilot who was among the 25 people killed in a Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, crashed in Igbokoda on Monday while carrying out a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

In a condolence statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Governor Otti described the loss of Man-Ugwueje and the other military personnel aboard the aircraft as tragic 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,” Otti said.

The Governor expressed particular sadness over the death of Man-Ugwueje, who hailed from Umuahia and had only recently married Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle in Abuja on September 19.

Otti noted that the pilot’s death occurred barely two weeks after his wedding, making the tragedy especially painful for his family and loved ones.

“Governor Otti regretted that Squadron Leader Man-Ugwueje perished in the air disaster just about two weeks after he wedded his beloved wife, Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle, in Abuja, a sad development that has robbed the couple of the beautiful opportunity of spending their lives together as husband and wife,” the statement said.

Man-Ugwueje was one of the pilots aboard the NAF 931 aircraft involved in the crash.

The Governor extended his condolences to the families of all the victims, the people of Umuahia, the Nigerian Air Force and the Federal Government.

He assured the bereaved families that the Abia State Government shared in their grief and prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the crash.