President Bola Tinubu on Monday declared three days of national mourning and ordered flags to fly at half-mast following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying 32 people in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The President also directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately investigate the cause of the crash, which occurred while the ATR-42 aircraft was reportedly on a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos.
The aircraft, which had 25 passengers and seven crew members on board, crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
Tinubu’s mourning order was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The President described the incident as a painful loss to the Armed Forces and the country, commending the military personnel who continue to risk their lives in the service of 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,” Tinubu said.
The President conveyed his condolences to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, officers and personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, as well as the families and colleagues of those affected by the crash.
He further directed the Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“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,” the President said.
Tinubu also commended the Nigerian Air Force for promptly activating search-and-rescue operations following the crash.
The incident has heightened concerns over the safety of military aviation operations and the need for a comprehensive examination of the circumstances leading to the crash.
The outcome of the investigation is expected to establish what caused the aircraft to crash and determine whether any operational, technical or other factors contributed to the incident.