Squadron Leader Ahamefule Aham Man-Ugwueje, one of the pilots aboard the Nigerian Air Force aircraft that crashed in Ondo State, died just two weeks after his wedding.
Man-Ugwueje married Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle in an elaborate ceremony in Abuja on September 19, 2026. The wedding took place before the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday.
The aircraft had 25 people on board, including five crew members and 20 passengers. It was travelling from Benin to Lagos on a routine mission when it crashed.
Pilot married two weeks before crash
Details of Man-Ugwueje’s wedding emerged from the couple’s invitation and posts shared by vendors involved in the ceremony.
The wedding planner and vendors published photographs and videos from the event on their social media pages. One of the videographers, Beejay Creates, also shared footage from the ceremony with the caption, “Love in every word.”
The post identified the couple as “Bride Damilola and Groom Ahamefule.” Photographs from the ceremony showed Man-Ugwueje and Adekunle celebrating their marriage in Abuja.
The wedding invitation stated that the couple held their Holy Matrimony at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Masters Place, in Utako, Abuja.
The ceremony was scheduled for 11am, while the reception was set for 3pm at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre in Asokoro.
The invitation identified Man-Ugwueje as the son of a retired Group Captain Man-Ugwueje.
Man-Ugwueje identified as aircraft co-pilot
The Nigerian Air Force listed Man-Ugwueje among the five crew members who died in the Ondo crash.
The service identified him as the co-pilot of the ATR-42 aircraft. The NAF later confirmed that all 25 people aboard the aircraft died in the accident.
The aircraft was reportedly carrying out a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed in Igbokoda.
Man-Ugwueje’s Facebook profile listed Umuahia in Abia State as his hometown. Abuja was listed as his current city.
His death has drawn attention to his recent marriage, which took place only two weeks before the fatal aircraft accident.
Air Force mourns victims
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 country.
Aneke expressed condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who died in the crash.
The Nigerian Air Force has also released the names of all 25 people who lost their lives in the accident.
The crash involved an ATR-42 aircraft operated by the Nigerian Air Force. The aircraft went down in Igbokoda, Ondo State, while travelling between Benin and Lagos.
The circumstances surrounding the crash remain a matter of investigation by the relevant authorities.
For Man-Ugwueje’s family, colleagues and wife, the tragedy came shortly after the couple began their life together following their September 19 wedding in Abuja.
