The Senate has postponed indefinitely its two-day National Security Summit scheduled for October 12 and 13, 2026, following the fatal Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The crash, which occurred on Monday, claimed the lives of 25 officers and seven crew members, bringing the reported death toll to 32.
The Senate Leader and Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the National Security Summit, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, announced the postponement in a statement on Tuesday.
According to Bamidele, the decision was taken in honour of the victims and against the backdrop of the three-day national mourning declared by President Bola Tinubu.
The summit was convened by the Senate to examine Nigeria’s persistent security challenges and develop practical measures to strengthen the protection of lives and property across the country.
Bamidele said the ad-hoc committee had completed preparations for the summit following the conclusion of zonal public hearings. However, the NAF crash necessitated the suspension of the planned gathering.
President Tinubu had declared three days of national mourning for the military personnel who died in the crash and directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country.
The Senate subsequently resolved to defer the summit until further notice as a mark of respect for the fallen personnel who died in active service.
The upper chamber extended its condolences to President Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Air Force, and the families of the deceased officers and crew members.
Bamidele said a new date for the National Security Summit would be announced in due course.
He also appealed to stakeholders who had been scheduled to participate in the summit to bear with the Senate during the period of national mourning.
The postponed summit is expected to bring together key stakeholders to deliberate on Nigeria’s security challenges and consider practical measures to improve the protection of lives and property nationwide.
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