President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a three-day national mourning for Air Force personnel who died in the crash of a military plane.

He also directed that flags should be flown at half-mast throughout the country as a mark of respect to the officers.

President Tinubu had earlier expressed profound sadness over the crash of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 jet.

The accident occurred near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State. The aircraft, carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed.

The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed the death of all 25 people on board an NAF ATR-42 aircraft that crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.

The aircraft, with registration number NAF 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.

The NAF, in a statement issued by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the aircraft had five crew members and 20 passengers on board.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, expressed condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the victims.

Aneke described the incident as “a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation,” assuring the bereaved families of the Service’s full support.

The NAF said the Chief of the Air Staff had directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The Service also announced that a condolence register had been opened at its headquarters in Abuja for government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers wishing to pay their respects to the families of the deceased and the Nigerian Air Force.