President Bola Tinubu has declared a three-day national mourning for Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in an aircraft crash in Ondo State.
Tinubu also directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country throughout the mourning period in honour of the deceased officers.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed on Monday near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members when the accident occurred during a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
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, Tinubu described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and 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 said the Chief of Air Staff had briefed him on the incident, adding that he had directed the immediate commencement of a thorough investigation to determine 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 also commended the Nigerian Air Force for promptly activating a search and rescue operation following the crash.
He expressed condolences to the families, colleagues and associates of the personnel who lost their lives in the accident.
The Presidency said the Nigerian Air Force would release the names of the deceased personnel after their families had been contacted.
The statement was signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on Monday, October 5, 2026.
