The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), has expressed shock and grief over the crash of a Nigerian military aircraft with tail number NAF 931, which claimed the lives of military personnel and civilians on board.
Musa, in a statement he personally signed, described the incident as a painful loss to the Armed Forces and the country.
He said the military personnel killed in the crash were on a routine flight mission and died while serving the country with courage, dedication and patriotism.
“The loss of these valiant patriots is an irreparable blow not only to the military high command and their comrades-in-arms, but to the entire Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
The minister said the deceased officers and airmen exemplified the highest standards of military professionalism, loyalty and commitment to the defence of the country.
He extended condolences to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the leadership of the Armed Forces, and the immediate families, loved ones and colleagues of the deceased.
Musa also sympathised with the families of the civilians who were on board the ill-fated aircraft, saying Nigerians shared in their grief.
He disclosed that a comprehensive investigation had been ordered to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash and ensure that necessary operational safety protocols were reinforced across military aviation units.
“We pray that the Almighty God grants the souls of the departed eternal repose, and gives their families, the military community, and all Nigerians the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.
It’s an irreparable loss – Gen Musa laments military aircraft crash