By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a three-day national mourning for Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 jet on Monday.
The president also directed that flags be flown at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect for the deceased officers.
According to a State House statement, the aircraft crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State. It was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members and was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
Tinubu, who expressed profound sadness over the crash, sent a condolence message to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and to all officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force.
“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.
He said the Chief of Air Staff had briefed him on the incident and that he had directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences.
Tinubu also commended the Nigerian Air Force for activating an immediate search and rescue operation following the accident.
The Air Force will release the names of the deceased personnel after contacting their families, the statement added.
