By Princely Onyenwe | News Desk
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning following the fatal crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The President also directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect for the Air Force personnel who lost their lives in the tragedy.
The aircraft, which had 25 passengers and seven crew members on board, crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area while on a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos.
Tinubu described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the nation, extending his condolences to the families of those involved and the Nigerian Air Force.
The President said he had been briefed by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash.
Aneke was not identified as a passenger or crew member on the aircraft. Rather, official statements identify him as the Chief of the Air Staff who briefed the President following the crash.
Tinubu also commended the Nigerian Air Force for activating search-and-rescue operations following the accident and praised first responders and the Ondo State Government for their response at the crash site.
The Presidency said the identities of the deceased Air Force personnel would be released after their families had been contacted.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash and determine measures to prevent a recurrence.
