Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 Crash Kills 32; Tinubu Declares Three Days Of Mourning

President Bola Tinubu announced that a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 crashed on Monday in the country’s southwest, killing all 32 people on board. He declared three days of national mourning and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff across Nigeria.

What Happened

According to the presidency and the Air Force, the military passenger plane was on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos when it went down near Igbokoda in Ilaje, Ondo state shortly after 9:00am (0800 GMT). Officials said the aircraft came down close to a naval base.

"This is a painful moment for our armed forces and for the entire nation," the presidency quoted President Tinubu as saying. The president also extended his deepest condolences to the families of the 25 passengers and seven crew members who died.

Response and Recovery

Air Force and emergency officials said search-and-rescue teams were conducting recovery operations in coordination with relevant authorities. A video circulating on social media showed rescuers searching the swampy crash site by boat while a small crowd gathered nearby.

Air Force spokesman Ehimen Ejodame confirmed ongoing search-and-rescue efforts. The presidency said the Air Force will release the identities of the victims only after families have been formally notified.

Eyewitness Account

Local resident Dayo Akinte, 39, who lives about a kilometre from the crash site, told AFP she heard a noise she initially thought was thunder at the time the aircraft went down. She said someone fishing in the swamp alerted the nearby naval base and others in the town. Since the accident, she added, she has seen other aircraft flying over the area.

Investigation and Context

President Tinubu ordered the Nigerian Air Force to immediately launch a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to help prevent future occurrences. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo and other officials have been cited in statements about the incident.

The statement recalled earlier military aviation tragedies in Nigeria, including the May 2021 crash that killed the army chief, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, and others, as well as crashes in 2015 that cost more lives.

The situation remains fluid as authorities continue recovery operations and work to notify families. Further details, including the victims' identities and the findings of the investigation, will be released when available.