Why Did President Tinubu Declare Three Days of National Mourning After the NAF Jet Crash in Ondo State?

Quick answer: President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning in Nigeria for the 32 Air Force personnel killed when a Nigerian Air Force ATR 42 aircraft crashed near Igbokoda in Ondo State. Flags across the country were ordered to fly at half-mast as a mark of respect for the fallen officers.

The crash behind the mourning

A Nigerian Air Force ATR 42 aircraft crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday, 5 October 2026. It was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred. All 32 people on board were killed.

The declaration of mourning was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

What the President said

President Tinubu directed that flags be flown at half-mast nationwide as a mark of respect to the fallen officers. In a condolence message to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and all officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, he said:

"This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation. Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten."

He described the incident as a heavy blow to the country's Armed Forces, noting that the Chief of Air Staff had briefed him on the crash. The President ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the cause of the accident, so that it would not happen again, and praised the Air Force for launching an immediate search and rescue operation after the crash.

What happens next

• The Nigerian Air Force has set up a 12-member board to probe the fatal crash.
• The Air Force is expected to release the names of the deceased once their families have been contacted.
• The official investigation will determine the cause of the crash.

Frequently asked questions

How many people died in the Ondo NAF jet crash?

All 32 people on board were killed — 25 passengers and seven crew members.

Where did the NAF aircraft crash?

Near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, Nigeria, while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

What did President Tinubu announce?

He declared three days of national mourning, directing that flags be flown at half-mast nationwide as a mark of respect to the fallen officers.

Was the cause of the crash determined?

No. The President ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the cause, and the Air Force set up a 12-member board to probe the crash.

Who announced the mourning period?

The declaration was contained in a statement issued by the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

*Source: TheFact Daily (thefact.ng), "Tinubu Declares Three-Day National Mourning Over NAF Jet Crash", by Sunday Etuka.*