President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a fresh statement following the tragic crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
In the statement, the President described the incident as a painful moment for Nigeria and the Armed Forces, expressing condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. The aircraft was travelling from Benin City to Lagos on a routine mission when it crashed.
Tinubu reaffirmed that the Nigerian Air Force has been directed to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash, with the aim of establishing what went wrong and preventing a similar tragedy in the future.
The President also praised the Nigerian Air Force for immediately activating search and rescue operations after the aircraft disappeared, as well as the first responders and the Ondo State Government for their efforts at the crash site.
The aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, and subsequent reports confirmed that there were no survivors.
Tinubu described the fallen personnel as officers who put their lives on the line in the service of the country, stressing that their sacrifice would not be forgotten.
The President has also declared three days of national mourning, directing that Nigerian flags be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the deceased Air Force personnel.
As Nigeria mourns the loss, attention now turns to the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash and what can be done to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.
