President Bola Tinubu has declared a three-day national mourning in honour of the Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in the crash of a military aircraft in Ondo State.
The President also directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect for the deceased officers.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed on Monday near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
In a statement by the Presidential Spokesman, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members and was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the incident occurred.
President Tinubu described the crash as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the nation, noting that the personnel put their lives on the line daily in the service of the country.
He expressed condolences to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, as well as officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force.
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.
He commended the Air Force for activating an immediate search and rescue operation following the accident.
The Nigerian Air Force is expected to release the names of the deceased personnel after their families have been formally contacted.
