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President Bola Tinubu has declared a three-day national mourning in honour of Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in Sunday’s military aircraft crash in Ondo State.
The President also directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the country during the mourning period as a mark of respect for the fallen officers.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The aircraft, a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 jet, crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members when the incident occurred.
Tinubu had earlier expressed deep sadness over the crash, describing the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the nation.
In a condolence message to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, the President said the nation’s military personnel continued to risk their lives daily in the service of the country.
“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,” the President said.
Tinubu disclosed that the Chief of Air Staff had briefed him on the incident and said he had directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash.
According to him, the investigation was necessary to establish what went wrong and prevent a recurrence of the tragedy.
“I commend the Nigerian Air Force for activating an immediate search and rescue operation following the accident,” the President added.
The Presidency said the Nigerian Air Force would release the names of the deceased personnel after their families had been formally contacted.
The three-day mourning period is expected to provide the nation with an opportunity to honour the fallen personnel and acknowledge their service and sacrifice to Nigeria.
