Tinubu Declares 3-day Mourning For Officers Killed In Air Crash
President Bola Tinubu has declared a three-day national mourning for Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in the military aircraft crash in Ondo State.
He also directed that flags be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the officers who lost their lives in the incident.
The declaration followed the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday.
In a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed.
The aircraft had 25 passengers and seven crew members on board.
Describing the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the country, Tinubu said Nigerian Air Force personnel continued to risk their lives in the service of the nation.
“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.
According to the president, the investigation was necessary to establish the cause of the incident and prevent a recurrence.
“I commend the Nigerian Air Force for activating an immediate search and rescue operation following the accident,” he said.
The president also commended first responders and the Ondo State Government for their swift response at the crash site.
He extended his condolences to the families of the 25 passengers and seven crew members involved in the incident, as well as the Chief of the Air Staff and personnel of the Nigerian Air Force.
Tinubu prayed for the repose of the souls of the officers who died and asked God to grant their families and the Nigerian Air Force the strength to bear the loss.
He further assured the Nigerian Air Force of his administration’s continued support as the service carries out its responsibility of securing the country.
The Presidency said the Nigerian Air Force would release the names of the officers who died after contacting their families.
Meanwhile, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State said no survivor had been found at the crash site despite efforts by residents, security personnel and emergency responders.
Aiyedatiwa disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, saying he received information about the crash at about 10.30am after the chairman of the local government contacted him.
He said residents across the river from the Nigerian Navy base in Igbokoda heard a loud sound and later saw the aircraft plunge into a swampy area.
According to him, Navy personnel initially stayed back to determine whether the crash had resulted in a fire or explosion before moving towards the site.
“When they noticed that it’s just an accident, they didn’t see any sign of fire. So they moved in, trying to see if they could rescue the people,” Aiyedatiwa said.
The governor said officials of the local emergency management agency, residents and personnel of the Amotekun Corps subsequently joined the search for possible survivors.
“But from the information we got, no single life was saved up to this moment. They could not see any living soul that was in that aircraft,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa said searchers recovered parts of the aircraft, including pieces of its wings, identification cards and uniforms, which helped establish that the crashed aircraft was a military plane.
“But they saw the ruins, some of the wreckage from the wings of the aircraft, you know, some ID cards, I was told, and then uniform. That was when they knew it was a military aircraft,” he said.
The governor described the crash as a painful development, particularly because it occurred in Ondo State and his home local government.
“So it’s a sad situation today. And we’re all really, really agreed as a Nigerian. And also it happens in my own state, not just my state, even in my own local government where I’m from,” he said.
