Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning following a tragic military aircraft crash in southern Ondo State that resulted in the deaths of 25 individuals. The incident occurred on Monday morning when the aircraft, on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos, went down in a swamp near a naval base.
Details of the Incident
Initial reports from Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo indicated that 32 people had died, but the Nigerian Air Force later clarified that the confirmed death toll stands at 25, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers. Upon reaching the crash site, officials discovered the aircraft submerged in water, with a resident reporting that clothes and shoes were found scattered in the area, accompanied by visible smoke rising from the wreckage.
This crash marks the deadliest incident involving a Nigerian military aircraft since 1992. The names of the deceased have been released, revealing that 19 of those on board were military personnel.
Presidential Response
President Tinubu expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and has ordered a full investigation into the crash. He also mandated that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country as a sign of respect for those who lost their lives.
