President Bola Ahmed has declared three days of national mourning after a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crashed in Ondo State, killing all 32 people on board.
The NAF ATR-42 transport aircraft carried 25 passengers and seven crew members when it lost contact while flying from Benin to Lagos on Monday, October 5, 2026.
NAF Aircraft Crashes Near Igbokoda
Meanwhile, search teams later found the aircraft’s wreckage in a forested area near a naval base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. Search and rescue teams confirmed that none of the 32 people on board survived.
The crash has caused widespread grief across Nigeria, especially within the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Authorities have now begun efforts to establish what caused the aircraft to lose contact before the crash.
Following the tragedy, Tinubu ordered national flags across the federation to fly at half-mast throughout the three-day mourning period.
The President said the gesture would honour the NAF personnel who died while serving the country.
In a condolence message to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the wider military community, Tinubu described the crash as a deeply painful moment for Nigeria and its armed forces.
Furthermore, Tinubu said NAF personnel risk their lives daily to protect the country. He assured the victims’ families that Nigeria would not forget their sacrifices.
Meanwhile, Tinubu directed the Nigerian Air Force to begin an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the crash.
The probe will examine the events that led to the aircraft losing contact and later crashing near Igbokoda.
The President said the findings should help improve safety in military aviation and prevent a similar tragedy.
The Nigerian Air Force is expected to release the names of those who died after it completes the process of notifying their families.
The release will provide more details about the victims and their roles in the military. However, authorities have yet to announce the names publicly.
As Nigeria mourns the fallen personnel, attention will now shift to the investigation and measures to improve safety during military air operations.
The three-day mourning period will honour the personnel who died in the line of duty.
