President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a three-day period of national mourning for Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in the military aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The President also ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect for the victims.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed near a naval base in Igbokoda on Monday while reportedly on a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos. The aircraft had disappeared from radar at about 9:13 a.m. before the wreckage was located.
In a condolence message to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, Tinubu described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the country.
“Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” the President said.
Tinubu also directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, with the aim of determining its cause and preventing similar incidents in the future.
He commended the Air Force and other first responders for activating search-and-rescue efforts following the crash.
The Federal Ministry of Information initially reported that 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard the aircraft. However, the Nigerian Air Force subsequently gave a different figure, saying 20 passengers and five crew members were on board. The discrepancy has been reported by international news agencies and remains unresolved.
The Nigerian Air Force said the names of the deceased personnel would be released after their families had been formally contacted.
The Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa, has also ordered a comprehensive investigation into the crash and said the findings would be used to strengthen operational safety protocols across military aviation units.
