President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Ondo State that killed all 32 people on board.
The plane, an ATR-42 with tail number NGR 931, was on a routine flight from Benin City to Lagos when it went down near a naval base in the Igbokoda area on Monday morning. Authorities confirmed that the aircraft carried 25 passengers and seven crew members. All lost their lives.
Residents reported seeing smoke rising from the crash site near a swamp, where personal items such as clothes and shoes were later found. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said the aircraft disappeared from radio contact at approximately 09:13 local time. Search and rescue efforts were launched immediately after the crash was confirmed.
In a statement, President Tinubu expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and to the Nigerian Armed Forces. He ordered national flags to be flown at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect.
“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation,” Tinubu said. “Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
The President has directed the Nigerian Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to help prevent similar incidents in the future. The identities of those who died have not yet been released, pending notification of their families.
The Nigerian Air Force plays a critical role in the country’s security operations, particularly in efforts against armed groups and insecurity in various regions. This incident ranks among the deadliest air disasters involving the military in recent years.
Previous military aviation accidents include the May 2021 crash that killed then Army Chief Lt-Gen Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 other officers in Kaduna State, and a February 2021 incident in Abuja that claimed seven lives.
As the nation observes the period of mourning, attention now turns to the ongoing investigation and support for the families of the fallen personnel.
