President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in a military aircraft crash near Igbokoda, 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 deceased officers. The directive was contained in a statement issued by the Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday, October 5, in Abuja.
Tinubu had earlier expressed sadness over the crash involving a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft near a naval base in Igbokoda. The aircraft, which was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the incident occurred. The President described the crash as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the nation, noting that the personnel had put their lives on the line to secure Nigeria.
The President also directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash, with a view to preventing future occurrences.
Leave a comment