Tinubu Declares Three-Day Mourning As 32 Die In Ondo Aircraft Crash

By Ezirim Cynthia

Nigeria was thrown into mourning on Monday, October 5, 2026, following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, which claimed the lives of all 32 people on board.

The aircraft, carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, was reportedly on a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos when it crashed near a naval base in Igbokoda.

According to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft at about 9:13 a.m.

Attempts to re-establish communication reportedly failed, prompting authorities to launch a search-and-rescue operation.

The aircraft was later located in a swampy area near the naval base. Emergency responders, security agencies and other relevant authorities were deployed to the scene to secure the area and begin recovery operations.

The difficult riverine terrain reportedly made access to the crash site challenging. Wreckage from the aircraft was found around the area, while witnesses reported hearing a loud sound before the aircraft went down.

At the initial stage of the incident, authorities had not confirmed the condition of those on board.

The Presidency later confirmed that there were no survivors.

Reacting to the tragedy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed deep sadness and commiserated with the families of the deceased, the Nigerian Air Force and the wider Nigerian Armed Forces.

In honour of the victims, Tinubu declared three days of national mourning and directed that the Nigerian flag be flown at half-mast nationwide throughout the mourning period.

The President also commended the Nigerian Air Force, first responders and the Ondo State Government for their prompt response to the crash.

Tinubu subsequently ordered an immediate and thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident and establish what caused the aircraft to lose contact with air traffic controllers before the crash.

The Aviation Ministry pledged its cooperation with the investigation, while recovery and identification efforts continued.

The Nigerian Air Force is expected to release the identities of the victims after their families have been formally notified.

The crash has triggered widespread grief across the country, particularly within the Nigerian Armed Forces, as the nation mourns personnel who lost their lives while serving the country.

As the three-day mourning period continues, attention remains focused on the investigation, recovery operations and arrangements for the victims.

The cause of the crash has not yet been officially established.

The investigation is ongoing.