Tinubu Declares Three-Day Mourning for Air Force Crash Victims

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for Nigerian Air Force personnel killed in an aircraft crash in Ondo State.

The President also ordered that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the deceased officers.

This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The crash involved a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.

The aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members when it crashed during a routine flight from Benin to Lagos.

Tinubu had earlier expressed sadness over the incident and condoled with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the entire Nigerian Air Force.

He described the deaths as a painful loss to the Armed Forces and the country.

“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation,” Tinubu said.

The President noted that Air Force personnel regularly risk their lives in the service of the nation, adding that their sacrifice would not be forgotten.

Tinubu also directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

He said the investigation should establish what caused the accident and help prevent similar incidents in the future.

The President also commended the Air Force for quickly activating a search and rescue operation after the crash.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force is expected to release the names of the deceased personnel after notifying their families.