President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for the Nigerian Air Force personnel who lost their lives in an aircraft crash in Ondo State.
The President also directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect for the fallen personnel.
The NAF ATR-42 aircraft crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The aircraft was carrying personnel of the Nigerian Air Force when it went down, killing all 25 people on board.
Describing the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the nation, President Tinubu said the sacrifices of military personnel who risk their lives to protect the country would not be forgotten.
The President said he had received a briefing from the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, on the incident and directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the crash.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident and identify measures to prevent a recurrence.
President Tinubu also commended the Nigerian Air Force for activating search-and-rescue operations immediately after the crash and coordinating the response with relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has released the identities of the crew members aboard the ill-fated aircraft.
The crew members were Squadron Leader M.I. Aburime, Flight Captain; Squadron Leader A.P. Man-Ugwueje, Co-pilot; Flight Lieutenant I.S. Bako, Co-pilot; Warrant Officer Abubakar A., Aircraft Technician; and Corporal Uguru H.C., Aircraft Technician.
