President Bola Tinubu has declares three days of national mourning in honor of the Nigerian Air Force personnel who lost their lives in Monday’s military aircraft crash in Ondo State.
Tinubu also ordered that flags be lowered to half-mast nationwide as a sign of respect for the fallen officers.
This was stated in a statement signed on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft went down near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State while carrying out a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos.
On board the aircraft were 25 passengers and seven crew members.
In a message of condolence to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, the President called the incident a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the nation.
“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.
He also directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately investigate the cause of the crash.
“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.
The president commended the Nigerian Air Force for activating a search and rescue operation after the crash.
