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Tinubu Declares Three-Day Mourning for Air Force Crash Victims
President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning and ordered flags at half-mast after an Air Force aircraft crash killed 32 people in Ondo.
President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in Monday’s military aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The President also directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect for the deceased officers.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State while travelling from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos on a routine mission.
The aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members. All 32 people aboard were later confirmed dead.
In a condolence message to the Chief of 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.
“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,” the President said.
Tinubu also directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding 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,” he said.
The President commended the Nigerian Air Force for activating a search-and-rescue operation following the accident and also praised first responders and the Ondo State Government for their response at the crash site.
Tinubu expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and assured the Nigerian Air Force of the continued support of his administration.
The Presidency said the Air Force would release the names of the officers who died after their families had been contacted.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.