By Kelvin Ohoror
Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, has expressed profound grief over the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash near Igbokoda in Ondo State, which, according to the senator’s statement, claimed the lives of all 32 people on board.
Key Highlights
- Senator Joel-Onowakpo described the Igbokoda aircraft crash as a “national catastrophe.”
- The senator said 32 people, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members, died in the crash.
- The aircraft was identified as a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42, registration number NGR 931.
- Joel-Onowakpo said his heart was “broken” by the loss of the military personnel.
- He expressed particular sorrow over the reported death of the young co-pilot, who he said married 16 days before the crash.
- The senator extended condolences to the victims’ families, the Armed Forces and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Joel-Onowakpo: ‘My Heart Is Broken’
Joel-Onowakpo, who represents Delta South Senatorial District, described the incident as a national catastrophe and said the reported loss of 32 military personnel had left the country in mourning.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the senator said the tragedy involving the Nigerian Air Force aircraft was deeply painful, particularly in his capacity as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence.
He said the aircraft, identified as an ATR-42 with registration number NGR 931, was reportedly travelling from Benin City to Lagos when it disappeared from radar shortly after 9:13 a.m. on Monday.
According to the senator, the aircraft subsequently crashed in a swampy area near Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, with no survivors reportedly found.
“As Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, this is a deeply personal wound. These were not just numbers. They were our bravest patriots, gallant officers and men who stood between us and danger, who chose a life of honour and sacrifice,” Joel-Onowakpo said.
Senator Mourns Young Co-Pilot
The senator expressed particular sorrow over the reported death of the aircraft’s young co-pilot.
According to Joel-Onowakpo, the co-pilot had celebrated his wedding just 16 days before the crash.
“My soul weeps for the young co-pilot who had only just celebrated his wedding 16 days ago, for every mother who will wait in vain, for every child who will never see their father return and for every family whose world has collapsed in a single moment,” he said.
The senator described the deceased military personnel as some of Nigeria’s finest and bravest, while extending his condolences to their families.
Read also:
- Newlywed NAF Pilot Among 25 Killed In Ondo Air Force Crash
- Senate Postpones National Security Summit After Ondo NAF Crash
- Tinubu Declares Three Days Mourning After NAF Plane Crash Kills 32 in Ondo
Condolences to Armed Forces, Tinubu
Joel-Onowakpo also commiserated with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, officers and personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians at home and abroad.
He urged the bereaved families and members of the Armed Forces to find strength during the period of mourning.
“The nation stands with you in this dark hour. May Almighty God grant the souls of these 32 fallen heroes eternal rest and grant their families, the Armed Forces and our nation the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss,” he said.
Joel-Onowakpo added that the sacrifices made by the fallen military personnel in service to Nigeria would not be forgotten.
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