President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning following the death of 32 people in a Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State.
The President also ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the victims.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday while on a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos.
The aircraft had 25 passengers and seven crew members on board. All 32 people aboard were killed in the crash.
Tinubu described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the country, expressing condolences to the families of the victims and the Nigerian Air Force.
The President 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 also commended the Air Force and other first responders for activating search-and-rescue operations following the accident.
The identities of the deceased personnel are expected to be released by the Nigerian Air Force after their families have been formally notified.
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