President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in an aircraft crash in Ondo State.
The President also directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the deceased officers.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Sunday. The aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members and was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
President Tinubu described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the country. He commiserated with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and members of the Nigerian Air Force.
He directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately investigate the cause of the crash to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
The President also commended the Air Force for quickly activating a search and rescue operation after the crash.
The Nigerian Air Force is expected to release the names of the deceased personnel after their families have been contacted.
This was contained in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday, October 5, 2026.
