President Bola Tinubu announced on Monday that Nigeria will observe three days of national mourning following the fatal crash of an ATR‑42 military aircraft that struck the ground near a naval base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The aircraft, which had departed Benin City for Lagos on a routine mission, went down early on Monday, October 5, killing 25 passengers and seven crew members.
In a televised address, Tinubu expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the nation. “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,” he said.
The president has directed that national flags be flown at half‑mast across the country in honour of those lost and has ordered the Nigerian Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the crash, with the aim of preventing similar incidents in the future.
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo confirmed that the aircraft, tail number NGR 931, disappeared shortly after departure and that attempts to contact it by radio were unsuccessful. Search and rescue teams were mobilised at the crash site, where residents reported smoke rising from a nearby swamp and found clothes and shoes scattered around the wreckage.
The identities of the 32 victims have not yet been released; authorities will publish names after notifying families. The ATR‑42, capable of carrying 30 to 50 passengers, is used by the Nigerian Air Force for military operations, including personnel and supply transport.
As the investigation proceeds, the nation mourns the loss of 32 military personnel who served on a routine mission. The next steps will involve a detailed inquiry into the aircraft’s final moments and measures to enhance flight safety for the Nigerian Air Force.
