President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning following the fatal crash involving a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Ondo State.
The President also ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country as Nigeria mourns the military personnel who lost their lives in the incident.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed on Monday, October 5, near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State while carrying out a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos. Preliminary information from Nigerian authorities indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard the aircraft.
Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing the crash as a painful moment for the Nigerian Armed Forces and the country as a whole.
In his condolence message to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and members of the Nigerian Air Force, the President acknowledged the risks military personnel face while carrying out their duties.
He said the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces in protecting the country would not be forgotten.
The President also directed the Nigerian Air Force to begin a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. The investigation is expected to establish what caused the aircraft to go down and help prevent similar accidents in the future.
The aircraft reportedly disappeared from radar while travelling towards Lagos before it was located near the naval facility in Igbokoda. The difficult terrain around the crash site, which includes swampy and riverine areas, presented challenges for responders attempting to reach the wreckage.
Search and rescue teams were activated after the aircraft lost contact, with military personnel and emergency responders involved in efforts at the site.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau also acknowledged the response efforts and said it was prepared to provide technical assistance if formally requested by the Nigerian Air Force. However, because the aircraft was operated by the military, the Nigerian Air Force remains responsible for the investigation.
The crash has triggered widespread grief as authorities work to establish the full circumstances of the tragedy.
The identities of those who died have not been publicly released by the Nigerian Air Force. Officials said the names would be made public after their families and next of kin had been formally notified.
The tragedy has also drawn attention to the operational role of the ATR-42 aircraft within Nigeria’s military aviation system. The aircraft type has been used by the Nigerian military for missions including transportation and other operational duties.
There has been some discrepancy in early reports over the exact number of people aboard the aircraft. While the Presidency and Aviation Ministry initially cited 32 people — 25 passengers and seven crew members — an Air Force update reported a lower figure. Authorities have yet to fully clarify the difference.
Tinubu’s declaration of national mourning is intended to honour the personnel who died and recognise their service to Nigeria.
The President also commended the Nigerian Air Force for promptly activating search and rescue efforts after the aircraft went down, as well as first responders and the Ondo State Government for their assistance at the crash location.
As the mourning period begins, attention is expected to remain focused on the official investigation and the eventual findings on what led to the aircraft’s crash.
For the families of the victims and the wider military community, the incident represents a significant loss. The Presidency said the government would continue to support the Nigerian Air Force and the families affected by the tragedy.
The Nigerian Air Force is expected to provide further updates as the investigation progresses and as the process of identifying and notifying the victims’ families is completed.
