President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for Nigerian Air Force personnel who died on Monday in the military aircraft crash in Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The President also directed that flags be flown at half-mast across the country throughout the mourning period in honour of the victims.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, conveying 25 passengers and seven crew members, crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area 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. FollowPolitics
“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.
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.
