President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in the military aircraft crash in Ondo State on Monday.
The President also directed that the Nigerian flag be flown at half-mast across the country during the mourning period as a mark of respect for the deceased officers.
The development was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday.
Tinubu had earlier expressed sadness over the crash involving a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The aircraft, which was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, was reportedly on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed.
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,” Tinubu said.
The President said the Chief of Air Staff had briefed him on the incident and directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash.
He said the investigation was necessary to determine what led to the accident and help prevent similar incidents in the future.
“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.
Tinubu also commended the Nigerian Air Force for activating search and rescue operations immediately after the aircraft went down.
The Air Force is expected to release the names of the deceased personnel after their families have been contacted.
The declaration of national mourning and the order for flags to fly at half-mast are intended to honour the personnel who lost their lives while carrying out an official military assignment.
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