President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed profound sadness over the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The aircraft, with 25 passengers and seven crew members on board, crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda on Monday while reportedly on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos. The Nigerian Air Force subsequently activated search and rescue operations.
Tinubu extended his condolences to the families of those on board, the Chief of the Air Staff and the entire Nigerian Air Force community. The President described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and said the sacrifices of military personnel serving the country would not be forgotten.
The President also directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash, with the aim of preventing similar incidents in the future. He commended the Air Force for promptly activating search and rescue operations, as well as first responders and the Ondo State Government for their response at the crash site.
Earlier, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo confirmed that the aircraft’s wreckage had been located and that rescue operations were ongoing. Reports initially said the condition of those aboard had not been officially established, while later reports citing the President’s statement indicated that the occupants were being mourned as victims.