Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has expressed deep sorrow over the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State that killed 25 people.
The aircraft, carrying 25 passengers and crew members, went down near Igbokoda in Ondo State.
The victims included airmen, soldiers and members of their families, among them children said to have been returning to school.
Atiku, in a statement on Tuesday by his Media Office in Abuja, called the crash a painful national loss and said its circumstances made it especially heartbreaking.
“The loss of our servicemen and women is deeply painful. But the knowledge that their family members, including young children returning to school, were also among those whose lives were cut short makes this tragedy even more devastating,” he said.
He added: “These were men and women serving our country, alongside loved ones whose hopes, dreams and futures have been extinguished in one tragic moment.”
Atiku said his thoughts and prayers were with every bereaved family and extended his condolences to the Nigerian Air Force, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the government and people of Ondo State, and the entire nation.
“I pray that Almighty God grants eternal rest to the departed, comforts their grieving families and gives our nation the strength to bear this painful loss,” he said.
The former Vice President also voiced hope that the investigation into the crash would establish its cause and help strengthen aviation safety within the Armed Forces to prevent a recurrence.
