Flags across Nigeria will fly at half-mast for three days, after President Bola Tinubu declared a period of national mourning for the Air Force personnel killed in Monday’s military plane crash in Ondo State.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The President directed that flags be flown at half-mast nationwide as a mark of respect to the fallen officers.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR 42 aircraft crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
It was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
President Tinubu had earlier expressed profound sadness over the incident, describing it as a heavy blow to the country’s Armed Forces.
“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,” he said 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.
He disclosed that the Chief of Air Staff had briefed him on the crash and that he had ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into its cause, in order to prevent a repeat of such an accident.
“I commend the Nigerian Air Force for activating an immediate search and rescue operation following the accident,” the President added.
The Air Force is expected to release the names of the deceased after their families have been contacted.
