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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in Monday’s aircraft crash in Ondo State.
The President also directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the fallen officers.
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.
Describing the incident as “a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation,” Tinubu said the sacrifice of the personnel would not be forgotten.
The President directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash, saying the probe should help prevent future occurrences.
He also commended the Air Force for activating an immediate search-and-rescue operation following the accident.
The identities of the deceased personnel will be released by the Air Force after their families have been notified.
