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.
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The decision was announced on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said flags would be flown at half-mast across the country during the mourning period as a mark of respect for the deceased personnel.
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The crash involved a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State. The aircraft, which was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, was reportedly on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the incident occurred.
Tinubu had earlier expressed sadness over the crash and conveyed his condolences to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, as well as officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force.
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The President described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the country, noting that Air Force personnel routinely put their lives at risk while carrying out their duties.
Tinubu directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately begin a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash, with the aim of preventing similar incidents in the future.
He also commended the Air Force for activating search and rescue operations shortly after the accident.
The Nigerian Air Force is expected to release the identities of the deceased personnel after their families have been formally contacted.
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