The president ordered flags at half-mast and an immediate investigation, as the Air Force prepares to release the names of the dead after notifying families
President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel who died when an NAF aircraft crashed in Ondo State on Monday.
In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, Tinubu also directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast throughout the country as a mark of respect.
The NAF ATR-42 crashed near a naval base in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, while on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos.
“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation,” Tinubu said in a condolence message to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the officers, airmen and airwomen of the air force. Aneke took office in October 2025.
He said the sacrifice of the personnel “will never be forgotten.” He also assured the NAF of his administration’s continued support.
Tinubu orders NAF crash investigation
Tinubu said the Chief of Air Staff had briefed him, and that he had directed the NAF to begin a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash immediately. He said the probe should help prevent similar accidents.
He commended the NAF for activating an immediate search and rescue operation, and praised first responders and the Ondo State Government for their response at the scene.
The presidency said the NAF would release the names of the dead after their families had been contacted.
What we know about the NAF crash
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo said the aircraft, tail number NGR 931, was flying from Benin to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact at about 9:13am. The wreckage was later found near the naval base at Igbokoda.
Keyamo confirmed that 32 people, 25 passengers and seven crew members, died in the crash. He said the control and regulation of military aircraft fall outside the authority of his ministry and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, but pledged full cooperation in the search and rescue effort.
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said the aircraft came down in a swampy area opposite the naval base and that no survivor had been found.
The NAF confirmed the accident and said it had started a search and rescue operation, in a statement by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame. Early reports described a helicopter crash, but the NAF clarified that the aircraft was an ATR-42.
Reports say the passengers included relatives of military personnel. The cause of the crash has not been established, and the NAF has said further details will follow as the investigation progresses.
Senate and Ondo government react to NAF crash
The Senate also mourned the victims and expressed condolences to the NAF and the bereaved families. A Senate committee will engage NAF leadership for a full briefing on the circumstances of the crash. The public was urged to rely on official information.
Aiyedatiwa expressed sympathy to the Chief of Air Staff, the NAF family and the families of everyone on board.
