The Ghana Air Force has expressed solidarity with the Nigerian Air Force following the October 5 crash of a military aircraft in Ondo State that killed 25 people.
Ghanaian Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Eric Agyen-Frempong, conveyed the condolences in a message on Thursday to his Nigerian counterpart, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke.
Agyen-Frempong extended sympathy to the victims’ families and the Nigerian Air Force, acknowledging the grief caused by the accident.
The Ghana Air Force said its chief drew on the service’s experience of a fatal incident a year earlier to recognise the pain suffered by the Nigerian military and the bereaved families.
“Drawing from the GHAF’s own tragic loss a year ago, he acknowledged the profound grief associated with such incidents and reaffirmed the Service’s solidarity with the Nigerian Air Force during this difficult period,” the statement said.
The Ghanaian service also paid tribute to those who died, saying, “May the departed souls rest in eternal peace.”
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft, with registration number NAF 931, crashed into a swamp near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The aircraft reportedly lost contact with air traffic controllers shortly after taking off from Benin City on a flight to Lagos. The 25 people on board, comprising 20 passengers and five crew members, died.
Personnel of the Nigerian Navy, Marine Police and NAF took part in search-and-rescue operations at the crash site.
Following the incident, President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning and directed that flags be flown at half-mast nationwide.
The NAF has ordered an investigation into the crash and urged the public to avoid speculation while the inquiry is ongoing.
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