President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a three-day national mourning for Air Force personnel who died in the crash of a military plane today.
He also directed that flags should be flown at half-mast throughout the country as a mark of respect to the officers.
President Tinubu had earlier expressed profound sadness over the crash of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 jet.
The accident occurred near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State. The aircraft, carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed.
“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,” President Tinubu declared in a condolence message to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and all officers, airmen, and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force.
“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.
“I commend the Nigerian Air Force for activating an immediate search and rescue operation following the accident.”
The Air Force will release the officers’ names after contacting their families.
President Tinubu declares three-day mourning as military plane crash kills Air Force personnel
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a three-day national mourning for Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in the military aircraft crash in Ondo State.
The President also directed that flags should be flown at half-mast across the country during the mourning period as a mark of honour for the fallen officers.
The announcement followed the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft near a naval base in Igbokoda, Ondo State, while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members when the accident happened.
In a condolence message to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and all officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, President Tinubu described the incident as a painful loss to the nation.
“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.
President Tinubu disclosed that the Chief of Air Staff had briefed him on the incident and directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately begin a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent similar tragedies.
He also commended the Nigerian Air Force for activating a search and rescue operation immediately after the accident.
The President expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the peaceful repose of the fallen personnel.
The Nigerian Air Force said the identities of those who died would be released after their families had been formally informed.
The crash has thrown the nation into mourning, with the Federal Government honouring the sacrifices of the officers who died in the line of duty.