Tinubu Declares Three-Day Mourning for NAF Crash Victims

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel who died in a military aircraft crash in Ondo State on Monday.

The president also ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the deceased officers.

The directive was contained in a statement issued by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU DECLARES THREE-DAY MOURNING FOR AIR FORCE PERSONNEL WHO DIED IN AIRCRAFT CRASH

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a three-day national mourning for Air Force personnel who died in the crash of a military plane today.

He also directed that flags should be flown at half-mast throughout the country as a mark of respect to 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 officers’ names after contacting their families.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
October 5, 2026

— Bayo Onanuga, OON, CON (@aonanuga1956) October 5, 2026

The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State while conducting a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos.

There were 25 passengers and seven crew members on board the aircraft.

In a condolence message to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and other personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, Tinubu described the crash as a painful loss for the Armed Forces and the country.

He said NAF personnel routinely risk their lives to protect Nigeria and stressed that the sacrifice of those who died would not be forgotten.

“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. 

Tinubu also directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately launch a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash, with the aim of preventing similar incidents in the future.

The president said he had been briefed by the Chief of Air Staff and had ordered the investigation to begin without delay.

“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,” he said.

He also commended the Nigerian Air Force for activating search and rescue operations following the crash.