President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning following the death of 32 Nigerian Air Force personnel in an ATR-42 aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. He also directed that national flags be flown at half-mast and ordered an immediate investigation into the military aircraft crash.
Key Highlights
- President Tinubu declared three days of national mourning for the victims.
- National flags are to be flown at half-mast during the mourning period.
- The Nigerian Air Force aircraft had 32 people on board: 25 passengers and seven crew members.
- The ATR-42, tail number NGR 931, was travelling from Benin City to Lagos when contact was lost at about 9:13 a.m.
- Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said rescuers found no survivors at the swamp near Igbokoda.
- The Air Force is expected to release the victims’ identities after their families have been notified.
Tinubu Declares Three Days of National Mourning
President Bola Tinubu declared the mourning period after confirmation of the deaths of the Nigerian Air Force personnel aboard the aircraft.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President expressed condolences to the families of the victims, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the entire Nigerian Air Force.
Tinubu described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the nation, acknowledging the risks faced by military personnel in the course of their duties. He also directed that flags be flown at half-mast in honour of the deceased.
NAF ATR-42 Crashed With 32 People on Board
The aircraft involved was an ATR-42 with tail number NGR 931. It was on a routine flight from Benin City to Lagos when contact with air traffic controllers was lost.
According to Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo, controllers lost contact at approximately 9:13 a.m. and attempts to re-establish radio communication were unsuccessful. The aircraft subsequently crashed in a swampy area close to a Nigerian Navy base in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area.
The aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members. Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said he was informed about the incident at about 10:30 a.m. Emergency officials, residents, members of the Amotekun Corps and Nigerian Air Force personnel joined the search. Aiyedatiwa later said rescuers had not found anyone alive at the site.
Search teams reportedly recovered aircraft wreckage, identification cards and military uniforms. A military source also told Channels Television that all 32 people aboard the aircraft died, although the Air Force said the names would be released after families had been formally notified.
Read also:
- Tinubu Orders Investigation over NAF ATR-42 Crash in Ondo as Government Confirms 32 on Board
- NAF Confirms ATR-42 Aircraft Crash in Ondo, Launches Search and Rescue Operation
- Adamawa Mourns Master Warrant Officer Matini Among Ondo Air Force Crash Victims
- Newlywed NAF Pilot Among 25 Killed In Ondo Air Force Crash
- Ondo Deploys Swamp Buggies to Recover NAF Crash Victims in Igbokoda
- Senate Postpones National Security Summit After Ondo NAF Crash
Tinubu Orders Immediate Investigation
President Tinubu directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, to establish what caused the accident and help prevent similar incidents. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, briefed the President. Tinubu also commended the military and other emergency responders who activated search-and-rescue operations after contact with the aircraft was lost.
The cause of the NAF ATR-42 crash remains unknown. Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft, flight data, communications records, weather conditions and other circumstances. No official explanation had been released as of Tuesday morning.
Former Anambra State Governor and NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi also expressed sadness over the deaths, describing the incident as a painful loss and extending condolences to the families of those who died.
The Nigerian Air Force is expected to release the names of those who died after their families have been notified. As flags are flown at half-mast, attention will remain on identifying the victims, supporting their families and determining what caused the ATR-42 to crash. Follow us on X for further official updates.
