President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning following the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Ondo State that killed all 32 people on board.

The President also directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the Air Force personnel and other occupants who lost their lives in the accident.

The aircraft crashed on Monday, October 5, 2026, near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. The Nigerian Air Force said the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos when the accident occurred.

The aircraft had 25 passengers and seven crew members on board, bringing the total number of people aboard to 32. President Tinubu later mourned the loss of those on the aircraft, while authorities moved to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.

In his condolence message to Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the wider Nigerian Air Force community, Tinubu described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the country.

The President said the Chief of the Air Staff had briefed him about the incident and directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately begin a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash.

According to the Presidency, the purpose of the investigation is to establish what happened and help prevent a recurrence of a similar accident. Tinubu also commended the Air Force for activating search-and-rescue operations and acknowledged the response of emergency personnel and the Ondo State Government.

The crash initially triggered a search-and-rescue operation after air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft. The wreckage was subsequently located near the naval base at Igbokoda, where emergency and security personnel responded to the scene.

The aircraft involved has been identified as an ATR-42-500MP operated by the Nigerian Air Force. The type is configured primarily for maritime patrol and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance duties, although it can also perform search-and-rescue and limited transport functions.

The Aviation Ministry said air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft at about 9:13am local time. The exact circumstances that led to the crash have not yet been established, making the ongoing investigation important before conclusions are drawn about the cause.

The Nigerian Air Force has said the names of the deceased personnel will be released after their next of kin have been formally contacted and informed.

The decision to delay the publication of the names is consistent with the military's effort to notify families before making the identities public.

The tragedy has drawn condolences from government officials and renewed attention to the risks faced by military personnel and aircrew while carrying out national security and operational duties.

For now, authorities are focused on the investigation and the recovery process, while the country observes the three-day mourning period declared by the President.

The findings of the investigation are expected to provide more information about the circumstances of the crash and any measures that may be required to improve aviation safety and prevent similar incidents in the future.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia