Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning following a devastating military aircraft crash in southern Ondo State. The disaster claimed the lives of 32 people on board, making it one of the deadliest air disasters in the country in recent years. The incident occurred on Monday morning, and authorities have confirmed that the plane came down near a naval base in Igbokoda.
The military aircraft, an ATR-42 model, was operating a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo reported the disappearance of the aircraft earlier that day, stating he had been informed of its disappearance at 0913 hours. Efforts to raise the aircraft on radio proved abortive before subsequent confirmation that it had crashed. Search and rescue operations began immediately following confirmation of the crash.
A local resident described the scene to the British Broadcasting Corporation, noting that the crash occurred near a swamp where clothes and shoes were scattered. Thick smoke rose from the impact area as emergency responders rushed to the scene. The ATR-42 model carries between 30 and 50 passengers, according to manufacturer specifications. Authorities have confirmed that there were 25 passengers and 7 crew members on board.
President Tinubu has ordered national flags to be flown at half-mast to honor the victims. He offered profound condolences to the families of those who perished, expressing the gravity of the loss. The president praised the dedication of service members, noting that they put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten, he stated.
The president has mandated an immediate and thorough investigation by the Air Force to determine the cause of the crash and prevent future tragedies. Authorities have withheld the identities of the deceased pending notification of their families, with names to be published once relatives are informed. The Nigerian Air Force provides essential support for military operations across the country, including efforts to combat armed groups and address widespread insecurity.
Monday's disaster echoes previous aviation tragedies within the military. In May 2021, a plane crash in Kaduna claimed the lives of army chief Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 other officers during adverse weather. Another crash in Abuja killed 7 people in February of the same year. Investigations into the latest incident continue as the nation processes the heavy loss of military personnel.
As structural reviews commence, transparent communication from defense authorities remains critical to maintaining public trust while navigating this unprecedented humanitarian and institutional tragedy. The nation mourns the loss of its military personnel, and the government has assured that their sacrifice will not be forgotten. The incident has raised concerns about aviation safety in the country, and the investigation's findings are eagerly awaited.
Key points
- President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning for the 32 victims.
- The military aircraft that crashed was an ATR-42 model.
- The incident is one of the deadliest air disasters in Nigeria in recent years.
