President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning and directed that all national flags be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of 32 military personnel who lost their lives in a tragic Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash.
​The announcement was conveyed in an official statement issued from the State House, Abuja, by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, following the incident that occurred on Monday, October 5, 2026.
​The incident involved a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 transport aircraft carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members. The aircraft was on a routine flight from Benin City, Edo State, en route to Lagos State, when it crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
​Local residents reportedly heard an air tremor before witnessing the aircraft nose-dive into swampy terrain. Search and rescue teams, consisting of emergency responders, local residents, and security personnel, recovered wreckage, aircraft wing sections, military uniforms, and identification cards from the site.
​Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa confirmed that initial search efforts yielded no survivors.
​In a condolence message extended to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, President Tinubu expressed profound grief over the incident and paid tribute to the fallen personnel:
​”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 stated.
​The President confirmed he received a direct briefing from Air Marshal Aneke and ordered the NAF to immediately commence a full investigation into the root cause of the accident to prevent future occurrences. He also commended the Air Force for its prompt activation of search and rescue protocols.
​The Nigerian Air Force indicated that official names of the deceased officers and crew members will be released to the public after their respective families have been notified.
​The three-day national mourning period takes immediate effect, during which flags at all public buildings, military bases, and diplomatic missions worldwide will remain at half-mast in solemn remembrance.
