Squadron Leader Ahamefule Aham Man-Ugwueje, one of the pilots of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, which crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday, got married in an elaborate ceremony in Abuja two weeks before the accident.
Man-Ugwueje tied the knot with Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle on September 19, 2026, according to details of the wedding invitation and posts by vendors involved in the ceremony.
According to information on his Facebook profile, Man-Ugwueje’s hometown is listed as Umuahia, Abia State, while Abuja is listed as his current town/city.
The aircraft, which had 25 people on board, including five crew members and 20 passengers, crashed while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The Nigerian Air Force on Tuesday confirmed that all 25 people on board died in the accident and released their names.
Checks by PUNCH Online on the pages of the wedding planner and vendors involved in the ceremony showed videos and photographs from Man-Ugwueje and Adekunle’s wedding in Abuja.
One of the videographers at the wedding, Beejay Creates, shared footage from the ceremony with the caption, “Love in every word.”
The post identified the couple as “BRIDE DAMILOLA AND GROOM AHAMEFULE.”
The wedding invitation showed that the couple’s Holy Matrimony was held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Masters Place, Plot 826, Solomon Lar Way, opposite the NHIS Headquarters/Customary Court of Appeal, Utako, Abuja.
The ceremony was scheduled for 11am, while the reception followed at 3pm at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre, Km 10 Expressway, Asokoro, Abuja.
The invitation identified the groom as the son of retired Group Captain Man-Ugwueje.
Man-Ugwueje was listed by the Nigerian Air Force among the five crew members who died in the crash. He was identified as the co-pilot of the aircraft.
The NAF said the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the crash as “a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation” and expressed condolences to the families, loved ones and colleagues of the victims.
The Service said a comprehensive investigation had been ordered to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said no survivor had been found at the crash site after search efforts involving security personnel, emergency responders and local residents.
Aiyedatiwa said he received information about the crash at about 10.30am on Monday after the chairman of the Ilaje Local Government Area contacted him.
According to the governor, residents across the river from the Nigerian Navy base in Igbokoda heard a loud sound and later saw the aircraft dive into a swampy area.
He said the Nigerian Navy initially stayed back to determine whether there was any fire or explosion 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,” Aiyedatiwa said.
He added that officials of the local emergency management agency, residents and personnel of the Amotekun Corps joined the search for survivors.
(Punch)
