Crash: Tinubu Declares Three-Day National Mourning for Fallen Air Force Personnel

BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS

President Bola Tinubu has declared a three-day national mourning period in honour of Nigerian Air Force personnel who lost their lives in a military aircraft crash in Ondo State on Monday.

The President also directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect for the fallen officers, whose deaths have cast a pall of grief over the nation’s Armed Forces.

Tinubu had earlier expressed deep sorrow over the crash involving a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, which went down near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.

According to a statement by the President’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members and was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.

“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation. Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” Tinubu said in a condolence message addressed to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force.

The President said the Chief of Air Staff had briefed him on the incident and directed the immediate commencement of a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash and help prevent a recurrence.

“The Chief of Air Staff has briefed me, and I have directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences,” he said.

Tinubu also commended the Nigerian Air Force for promptly activating a search-and-rescue operation following the crash.

The President’s declaration of national mourning underscores the gravity of the tragedy and the sacrifice of military personnel who lost their lives while serving the nation.

The Nigerian Air Force is expected to release the names of the deceased personnel after their families have been formally notified