President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for the Nigerian Air Force personnel killed in an aircraft crash in Ondo State.
The President also ordered the national flag to be flown at half-mast across the country and directed an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The President’s directive was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The ATR-42 military aircraft crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The aircraft was carrying 32 people, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members.
Tinubu, in a condolence message to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the Nigerian Air Force, described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the country.
“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation. 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 said the Chief of Air Staff had briefed him on the incident and ordered the Air Force to establish the cause of the crash.
“The Chief of Air Staff has briefed me, and I have directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences,” Tinubu said.
He also commended the Air Force for activating search-and-rescue operations following the accident.
The three-day mourning period will see flags flown at half-mast nationwide as the country honours the personnel who lost their lives in the crash.
The identities of the deceased are expected to be released by the Nigerian Air Force after their next of kin have been notified.
The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash and determine whether technical, operational, environmental or other factors contributed to the accident.
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