Tinubu Declares 3-Day National Mourning for 32 Air Force Personnel Killed in Ondo Plane Crash

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a three-day national mourning for Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in the crash of a military aircraft in Ondo State on Monday.

The President also directed that flags should be flown at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect for the fallen officers.

The aircraft, a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 jet, carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, crashed near a naval base in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

The crash, which occurred on Monday, October 5, 2026, threw the riverine community into panic, with rescue teams battling swampy terrain to recover bodies.

President Tinubu, 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, described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and 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,” Tinubu said.

Advertisement

He disclosed that the Chief of Air Staff has briefed him and that he has 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 President added.

According to the State House, the Air Force will release the names of the officers after contacting their families.

Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, announced the mourning declaration in a statement on Monday.

The Igbokoda crash is one of the deadliest military air accidents in recent years, involving 32 personnel.

Advertisement