President Bola Tinubu has declared a three-day period of national mourning in honour of the 32 people who died in the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The President also ordered that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the country throughout the mourning period as a mark of respect for the deceased military personnel.
The ATR-42 aircraft, which had 25 passengers and seven crew members on board, crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area, on Monday while reportedly on a routine flight from Benin City to Lagos.
Tinubu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and the Nigerian Air Force.
He also commiserated with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, as well as officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force over the tragedy.
The President described the incident as a painful loss to the nation and honoured the victims for their service and sacrifice to Nigeria.
He further directed the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and establish measures to prevent a recurrence.
