President Bola Tinubu has declared a three-day national mourning period following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, which left 32 people dead.
He also ordered that flags be flown at half-mast nationwide and directed the NAF to carry out a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash.
The aircraft, with tail number NAF 931, went down in a swampy area opposite the Naval Base in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, on a routine flight from Benin to Lagos. It was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said he was briefed by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke.
“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.
He commended the NAF for activating search and rescue immediately, as well as first responders and the Ondo State Government, and assured the Air Force of his administration’s continued support.
What the NAF said
The NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed the crash and said search and rescue operations were ongoing in coordination with relevant agencies. He said more details would follow.
Aviation ministry, regulators react
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said air traffic controllers reported the aircraft missing at 0913 hours after efforts to reach it by radio failed. The wreckage was later located near the Naval Base.
Keyamo said the control and regulation of military aircraft fall outside the authority of his ministry and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). He said he had spoken to the Chief of Air Staff and pledged the ministry’s full cooperation.
The NCAA, in a statement by its Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo, said it stood ready to provide technical expertise for the rescue operation.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) said that because the aircraft was military, investigative responsibility lies with the NAF. Director-General Capt. Alex Badeh Jr. said the Bureau could deploy investigators and its Flight Safety Laboratory for flight recorder analysis, but only on a formal request from the Air Force. He urged the public to rely solely on official NAF updates.
Ondo govt mobilises emergency agencies
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Ministry of Health and security agencies to provide full logistical and human support to the rescue effort.
He also ordered that the crash site be cordoned off and secured, and urged residents to stay calm and avoid spreading unverified information.
Eyewitnesses, monarch: no survivors
An eyewitness, Oluboyo Olusola, said the crash happened at about 10am. He said he heard a loud noise “like thunder” and rushed to the scene, which residents could only reach with help from naval personnel.
He said human remains, aircraft parts and personal effects were scattered around the site, with some bodies in the water. “From what I saw, it appeared that there was no survivor,” he said.
The Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, said the aircraft came down in the river and swampy area while it was raining. He said his findings so far also indicated that no one survived.
He thanked God that the plane did not crash inside the town, saying the casualties would otherwise have been far higher.
Ilaje LGA Chairman, Maurice Oripelaye, said military gear was found at the scene. The Ondo State Police Command, through its spokesperson Jimoh Abayomi, urged residents to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information.
Defence minister, Senate, PDP mourn
Defence Minister Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd) described the loss as an “irreparable blow” to the military and the nation. He said a comprehensive investigation had been ordered to determine the cause and reinforce safety protocols across military aviation units.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, called it a “sad day” for the Armed Forces and pledged the committee’s support for improving troop safety and welfare.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong, also condoled with the NAF and the bereaved families. National Chairman Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, called for a thorough and transparent investigation.
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