President Bola Tinubu has ordered an investigation into the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, that killed all 32 people on board.
The ATR-42 aircraft, carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, crashed shortly after 9 a.m. on Monday while on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos.
President Tinubu, who returned to Abuja Monday evening, extended condolences to the families of the deceased and the Nigerian Air Force.
Tinubu also commiserated with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, as well as officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force.
“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,” Tinubu was quoted as saying.
The president commended the Nigerian Air Force for immediately activating a search and rescue operation after the aircraft went down.
He also acknowledged the efforts of first responders and the Ondo State Government at the crash site.
Tinubu prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and asked God to give their families and the Nigerian Air Force the strength to bear the loss.
He assured the Nigerian Air Force of his administration’s continued support as it carried out its responsibilities of securing the country.
The crash occurred in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, with Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo saying the aircraft went down near a naval base.
Keyamo and Tinubu identified the aircraft as an ATR-42, a twin-engine turboprop aircraft designed to carry between 30 and 50 passengers.
Also Read: Military chiefs meet after helicopter crash claims 32 lives in Ondo
The Nigerian Air Force earlier confirmed the accident and said the aircraft crashed while on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos.
In a statement by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the NAF said it immediately commenced a search and rescue operation following the crash.
“The Nigerian Air Force has commenced an immediate Search and Rescue operation following an ATR-42 aircraft accident in Igbokoda Area of Ondo State on 5th October 2026,” Ejodame said.
The NAF said its personnel were working with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies at the crash site.
Meanwhile, presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore expressed sadness over the incident and called for a broader investigation into the cause of the crash and Nigeria’s emergency response capacity.
Sowore sympathised with the families and loved ones of those aboard the aircraft, as well as affected Nigerian Air Force officers and personnel.
He said videos and images from the crash site raised questions about the country’s preparedness to respond to major disasters, arguing that emergency teams should have adequate equipment to reach difficult terrain quickly.
Sowore called for a thorough and transparent investigation to establish what caused the crash and examine how the emergency response was handled.
He said the investigation should assess how quickly assistance arrived, the equipment available to responders, obstacles encountered at the scene and whether lives could have been saved with a better-prepared emergency system.
“A disaster is tragic. Being unprepared to respond to one makes the tragedy even more painful,” Sowore said.
He said his thoughts remained with everyone aboard the aircraft, their families and communities affected by the crash.
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