President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning following the deadly Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State.
The President also directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect for the military personnel and other victims who lost their lives in the tragedy.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday while travelling from Benin to Lagos on a routine mission...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The initial information released after the crash indicated that 32 people were aboard the aircraft. However, the Nigerian Air Force subsequently confirmed that 25 people were on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers. No survivor was found.
Tinubu described the incident as a painful moment for Nigeria’s Armed Forces and the entire country.
The President expressed condolences to the families of those who died, as well as the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force.
He also praised the Air Force for immediately activating search and rescue operations following the crash.
Tinubu has ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident, with the aim of determining what caused the aircraft to crash and preventing similar incidents in the future.
The aircraft lost contact while travelling from Benin towards Lagos before it was later located near the naval base in Igbokoda.
The difficult terrain around the crash site created challenges for rescue teams, with emergency responders and other authorities involved in efforts to locate the aircraft and account for everyone on board.
The Nigerian Air Force later released the identities of the 25 victims after notifying their families.
The deceased included five crew members and 20 passengers, among them military personnel and civilians.
The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to allow the relevant authorities to conduct their investigations and rely on verified information concerning the tragedy.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has also indicated that it is prepared to provide technical assistance to the Nigerian Air Force if requested, although investigative responsibility for the military aircraft rests with the Air Force.
The crash has generated widespread mourning across the country, particularly among the families, colleagues and loved ones of those who died.
The three-day national mourning period is expected to provide an opportunity for Nigerians to honour the deceased and recognise the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces in the service of the country.
As investigations continue, authorities are expected to establish the circumstances that led to the crash and determine whether any factors contributed to the tragic loss of lives.
