Tinubu Declares Three-Day Mourning for Air Force Crash Victims

President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in a military aircraft crash in Ondo State, as the Senate mourned the victims.

The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 crashed Monday near a naval base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area, while on a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos.

The aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members.

The crash killed all 32 people aboard, according to reports citing authorities and sources familiar with the incident.

The aircraft lost contact with air traffic controllers at about 9:13 a.m. before its wreckage was located near Igbokoda.

Tinubu ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the deceased personnel.

“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation,” Tinubu said in a condolence message to Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke and other NAF personnel.

“Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria.

"Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” he said.

The president also ordered a full investigation into the crash, saying it was necessary “to prevent future occurrences.”

He commended the NAF for activating search and rescue operations after the aircraft went down.

The Senate also expressed condolences to the NAF and the families of those who died.

Sen. Osita Ngwu, chairman of the Senate Committee on Air Force, described the incident as “a deeply painful moment for our nation.”

“We mourn our gallant men and women who lost their lives while undertaking their duties in service to Nigeria, as well as the other persons who were on board the aircraft,” Ngwu said.

He said the Senate committee would engage the NAF leadership to obtain a full briefing on the circumstances surrounding the crash and urged the public to rely on official information.

“This is a huge loss to our nation,” Ngwu said.

Ondo Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa also directed state emergency and security agencies to provide logistical and human support at the crash site and ordered the area secured for rescue and response teams.

The cause of the crash has not been established.

The NAF has said further details will be released as the investigation progresses.