President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a three-day national mourning period following the death of Nigerian Air Force personnel in a military aircraft crash in Ondo State.
The President also directed that the Nigerian flag be flown at half-mast across the country throughout the mourning period as a mark of respect for the deceased officers.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed on Monday near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members when the accident occurred.
Tinubu, 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, 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.
According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu had earlier expressed profound sadness over the crash.
The President said the Chief of Air Staff had briefed him on the incident and directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash.
He said the investigation was necessary to establish what led to the accident and help prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Tinubu also commended the Nigerian Air Force for promptly activating a search and rescue operation following the crash.
The Air Force is expected to release the names of the deceased personnel after their families have been contacted.
