President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for the Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in Monday’s military aircraft crash.
The President also ordered that flags across the country be flown at half-mast in honour of the officers, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed on Monday.
Tinubu had earlier expressed deep sadness over the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 jet near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members and was on a routine flight from Benin to Lagos when it crashed.
“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,” President Tinubu said in a condolence message to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and all officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force.
“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.
“I commend the Nigerian Air Force for activating an immediate search and rescue operation following the accident.”
The Air Force said the names of the deceased officers will be released after their families have been contacted.
