President Tinubu Declares Three-Day National Mourning for Air Force Officers Killed in Ondo Plane Crash

President Tinubu Declares Three-Day National Mourning for Air Force Personnel Killed in Aircraft Crash

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a three-day national mourning period for Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in a military aircraft crash on Sunday.

The President also directed that all flags across the country should be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect for the fallen officers.

President Tinubu had earlier expressed profound sadness over the crash involving a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 jet.

According to the State House Press Release, the accident occurred near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State. The aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and 7 crew members, making a total of 32 persons on board, and was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed.

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, President Tinubu described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the entire nation.

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 said.

The President disclosed that the Chief of Air Staff has briefed him on the incident and that he has directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences.

He also commended the Nigerian 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 officers after contacting their families.

The statement was signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on October 5, 2026.