President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the crash of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday morning.
Following briefing from the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the President immediately directed the NAF leadership to launch a full-scale investigation to ascertain the cause of the disaster and avert future occurrences.
The military aircraft, which was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, was on a routine flight from Benin to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with the flight at approximately 9:13 a.m. The wreckage was subsequently located in the coastal Igbokoda zone of Ondo State.
In an official statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu extended his condolences to the bereaved families, the Chief of the Air Staff, and the entire personnel of the Nigerian Air Force.
”This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation,” President Tinubu stated. “Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
The President commended the Nigerian Air Force for its prompt deployment of search-and-rescue teams, as well as the quick response from emergency responders and the Ondo State Government at the site of the crash.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the military, President Tinubu assured the Nigerian Air Force of continued federal support while praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased personnel and strength for their grieving families.
Ongoing search, rescue, and recovery operations at the crash site are being coordinated by the military alongside state and federal emergency response authorities.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has returned to Abuja following his trip, arriving at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to personally oversee government responses and receive further briefings on the tragedy.
Ongoing search, rescue, and recovery operations at the crash site continue to be coordinated by the military alongside state and federal emergency response authorities.
