The Nigerian military is reeling after a routine flight turned fatal on Monday, with 32 personnel confirmed dead following the crash of an ATR-42 aircraft in Ondo State. The plane, which was traveling from Benin City to Lagos, went down in a swampy area near a naval base in Igbokoda.
President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning, ordering flags to fly at half-mast to honor the 25 passengers and seven crew members who lost their lives in the line of duty. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo confirmed that contact with the aircraft, tail number NGR 931, was lost shortly after 0900 hours.
Despite immediate search and rescue efforts, the wreckage was found submerged, complicating recovery operations. President Tinubu has demanded an immediate and thorough investigation into the cause of the disaster, emphasizing the vital role these personnel play in securing the nation against armed groups and internal insecurity.
This incident marks another somber chapter in Nigerian military aviation, following previous fatal crashes in 2021 that claimed the lives of senior officers. The names of the fallen will be released once their families have been properly notified.
Tags
