Tuesday, October 6, 2026 -President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for 32 Air Force personnel who died in the crash of a military aircraft on Monday.
This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the President
on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday.
He also directed that flags be flown at half-mast throughout
the country as a mark of respect for 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 names of the officers after contacting their families.
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