President Tinubu Orders Probe After Nigerian Air Force Crash
President Bola Tinubu declared three days of mourning after a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Ondo State, killing all 32 people on board.
A Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed on Monday morning, October 5, 2026, in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, killing all 32 people on board. The aircraft, which carried 25 passengers and seven crew members, was conducting a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with the flight shortly after 9:00 am.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of Nigeria, confirmed the fatalities and ordered the Nigerian Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation to establish the cause of the mishap and prevent future occurrences. He declared a three-day national mourning period, ordered flags to be flown at half-mast, and commended first responders and the Ondo State Government for their swift search and rescue operations in the river and swamp areas near a naval base.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau stated it will not independently lead the probe because the event involves a military aircraft, which falls outside its statutory mandate. However, the bureau offered technical support, including the use of its Flight Safety Laboratory to analyze cockpit voice recordings and flight data, should the military formally invite them to participate.
The Nigerian Air Force is leading the investigation and will release the names of the deceased once their families have been notified.
