Nigerian air force plane crash kills 32, country’s president announces three-day mourning

New Delhi: The Nigeria has declared three days of national mourning after a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Ondo State on Monday, killing all 32 people on board. The Nigerian president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also ordered national flags to be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the personnel who died in the crash, according to a state house statement.

The aircraft, carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, was flying from Benin City to Lagos on a routine mission when air traffic controllers lost contact with it. The wreckage was later located near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, where search and rescue operations were launched.

Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development of Nigeria, said the aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, disappeared from contact while travelling to Lagos. He said efforts to raise the aircraft on radio were unsuccessful before authorities confirmed that it had crashed near the naval base in Igbokoda.

Tinubu expressed “profound sadness” over the crash and extended his deepest condolences to the families of the 25 passengers and seven crew members, as well as to Nigerian chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal, Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the NAF personnel.

“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,” Tinubu said.

The Nigerian president said the chief of the Air Staff had briefed him about the crash and ordered the NAF to immediately investigate its cause.

“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,” Tinubu said.

He also commended the NAF for activating an immediate search and rescue operation following the accident and praised first responders and the Ondo State government for their response at the crash site.

“I pray for the repose of the souls of the gallant officers and for Almighty God to grant their families and the Nigerian air force the fortitude to bear the unfortunate loss,” Tinubu said.

The state house said the NAF would release the names of the officers who died after their families had been contacted.

The Nigerian defence minister, Christopher Musa, also mourned the victims and extended condolences to their families and the NAF. He called for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The Ondo state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, expressed grief over the crash and offered condolences to the families of those killed, the NAF and the federal government. He also commended those involved in the emergency response.

Nigeria’s senate also mourned the victims and extended condolences to the families of those killed and the armed forces.

The three-day mourning period comes as the NAF investigates what caused the ATR-42 to crash while travelling from Benin City to Lagos.