President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for Air Force personnel who died in the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft on Monday.
The announcement was made by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday.
The President also directed that flags be flown at half mast across the country as a mark of respect for the officers who lost their lives.
Tinubu had earlier expressed profound 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 on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed.
“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,” President Tinubu declared in a condolence message to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and all officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force.
“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.
“I commend the Nigerian Air Force for activating an immediate search and rescue operation following the accident.”
The Nigerian Air Force is expected to release the names of the officers who died after contacting their families.
