President Bola Tinubu has declared a three-day national mourning period for Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in the military aircraft crash in Ondo State.
The President also directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the country throughout the mourning period as a mark of respect for the fallen officers.
This is contained in a statement was issued on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
The Nigerian Air Force aircraft, an ATR-42 jet, crashed on Monday near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
According to the Presidency, 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board the aircraft when the accident occurred.
Tinubu, who earlier expressed profound sadness over the incident, described the deaths as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the nation.
βThis 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,β the President said.
In a condolence message to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the entire Nigerian Air Force, Tinubu directed the service to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
βThe Chief of Air Staff has briefed me, and I have directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences,β he said.
The President also commended the Nigerian Air Force for activating search-and-rescue operations immediately after the aircraft went down, as well as those involved in the emergency response.
The identities of the deceased personnel are yet to be officially released.
According to the Presidency, the Nigerian Air Force will publish their names after their families have been contacted.
