Senate Postpones Security Summit After NAF Crash

The Nigerian Senate has postponed its National Security Summit following the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State.

The two-day summit was scheduled for Monday, October 12, and Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

However, the Senate has deferred the event until further notice following Monday’s tragic crash in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area. The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed near a naval base during a routine flight. The crash claimed the lives of 25 people, according to the latest Nigerian Air Force casualty figures.

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In a statement on Tuesday, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele announced the postponement. Bamidele, who also chairs the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the National Security Summit, said preparations for the event were complete. He said the committee had concluded plans to hold the summit after completing its zonal public hearings.

Senate Defends Passage State Police Bill — Opeyemi Bamidele, Senate leader. Credit: The Cable.

However, the crash led to the decision to postpone the national security meeting.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu consequently declared three days of national mourning in honour of 25 officers and seven crew members of the Nigerian Air Force and directed that the national flags be flown at half-mast nationwide.”

“With the declaration of national mourning, the Senate resolved that the national security summit should be deferred till further notice in honour of the victims of the crash,” Bamidele said.

The Senate also expressed condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the Armed Forces, the Nigerian Air Force and the victims’ families. It described the deceased personnel as gallant officers and crew members who lost their lives in active service to the country.

The Senate said a new date for the summit would be announced later. It also urged stakeholders to acknowledge the national tragedy and bear with the Senate during the mourning period. Meanwhile, Tinubu has ordered a thorough investigation into the crash’s cause.

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