By Attah Ede
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a three-day national mourning for the victims of the ill-fated air crash that occurred on Monday in Ondo State.
Tinubu announced this in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
President Tinubu, who had earlier expressed sadness over the crash of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 jet, also ordered that flags be flown at half-mast throughout the country as a mark of respect for the victims.
The military aircraft, carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
Part of the statement read: “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 declared 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.
“The Chief of Air Staff has briefed me, and I have directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences.
“I commend the Nigerian Air Force for activating an immediate search-and-rescue operation following the accident.”
According to him, the Air Force will release the names of the officers after contacting their families.
