By Bello Wakili
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a three-day national mourning in honour of Nigerian Air Force personnel who lost their lives in an aircraft crash in Ondo State.
The President also directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the country throughout the mourning period as a mark of respect for the fallen personnel.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members when the incident occurred.
President Tinubu described the crash as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the nation, and commended the Nigerian Air Force for immediately activating search and rescue operations.
He directed the Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent a recurrence.
The Nigerian Air Force said the names of the personnel who died would be released after their families had been formally contacted.
Editing By Safiyah Abdulkadir
