President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for Air Force personnel who died in the crash of a military aircraft on Monday.
This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday.
He also directed that flags be flown at half-mast throughout the country as a mark of respect for the officers.
President Tinubu had earlier expressed profound sadness over the crash of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 jet.
The accident occurred near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State. The aircraft, carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed.
“This 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,” President Tinubu declared in a condolence message to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and all officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force.
“The 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.
“I commend the Nigerian Air Force for activating an immediate search and rescue operation following the accident.”
The Air Force will release the names of the officers after contacting their families.
Tinubu declares three-day mourning for Air Force personnel killed in crash