Monday October 5, 2026
By thenewsdesk.ng
Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in Monday’s crash of a military aircraft in Ondo State.
The President also directed that flags be flown at half-mast across the country throughout the mourning period in honour of the deceased officers.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu, who expressed profound sadness over the accident, described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the entire 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.
In a condolence message to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, Tinubu said he had been briefed on the accident and ordered an immediate investigation into its cause.
“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. Africans& Diaspora
The President also commended the Air Force for immediately activating its search and rescue operation following the crash.
“I commend the Nigerian Air Force for activating an immediate search and rescue operation following the accident”, Tinubu added.
The Presidency said the identities of the deceased personnel would be made public by the Air Force after their families had been formally contacted.
An ATR 42 AircraftAccording to information released by the Presidency, 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard the aircraft. President Tinubu extended his condolences to the families of those who died, as well as the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and personnel of the Nigerian Air Force.
Tinubu said members of the Nigerian Air Force regularly put their lives at risk in the course of protecting the country, adding that their sacrifice would not be forgotten.
The crash initially triggered an emergency search operation after air traffic controllers reportedly lost contact with the aircraft. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo subsequently confirmed that the wreckage had been located close to the Naval Base in Igbokoda and that 32 people were on board.
The Nigerian Air Force identified the aircraft as an ATR-42 and said it was conducting a routine mission from Benin to Lagos. The aircraft was operated for military purposes, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities.
The Presidency’s later statement shifted the situation from the initial search-and-rescue phase to mourning for those aboard the aircraft, with Tinubu praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased and asking God to give their families and the Nigerian Air Force the strength to cope with the loss.
Tinubu also assured the Nigerian Air Force of the Federal Government’s continued support as the military service carries out its responsibilities in protecting the country.
The cause of the crash has not yet been established publicly. The investigation ordered by the President is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the flight and the factors that led to the accident.
The identities of the 32 victims had not been publicly released in the reports reviewed at the time of publication.
The Ondo State Government had also mobilised relevant emergency and security agencies to support operations at the crash site and urged residents to avoid spreading unverified information while authorities worked to establish the facts.
The incident has renewed attention on aviation safety and the risks faced by military personnel carrying out operational assignments across Nigeria.
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