The Nigerian military is reeling after an ATR-42 aircraft crashed into a swamp near a naval base in Ondo State, claiming the lives of all 32 individuals on board. The flight, which was conducting a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos, lost contact with radio operators shortly after 0900 hours on Monday.
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo confirmed that efforts to establish communication with the aircraft, identified by tail number NGR 931, were unsuccessful before the wreckage was located submerged in the marshy terrain.
President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning, ordering flags to be flown at half-mast to honor the 25 passengers and seven crew members who lost their lives. Acknowledging the vital role the Air Force plays in securing the nation against armed groups and internal insecurity, President Tinubu emphasized the bravery of those who serve.
The President has mandated a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the disaster to ensure such a loss of life is not repeated. This incident marks one of the deadliest aviation accidents for the Nigerian military in recent years, following a string of fatal crashes that have claimed the lives of high-ranking officers and personnel since 2021.
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