By NEWSCOUNT Desk
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, has expressed deep sadness over the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft near Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, describing the incident as a painful moment for the nation and the Nigerian Air Force.
The aircraft crashed on Monday while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos after it disappeared from radar. Twenty-five passengers and seven crew members were reported to have been on board, with all those on board losing their lives in the crash.
In a condolence message issued through his Special Adviser, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio commiserated with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of the Air Staff, other Service Chiefs, officers and men of the Armed Forces and, most importantly, the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.
Akpabio said he received with grief the news of the crash and described the victims as fallen heroes who paid the supreme price in service to the country.
“I received with grief the tragic incident of the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR 42 aircraft near Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, resulting in the loss of 32 lives — 25 passengers and 7 crew members,” he said.
“On behalf of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I extend my deepest condolences to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of the Air Staff, the Service Chiefs, officers and men of our Armed Forces, and, most importantly, the families and loved ones of all those who perished in this tragic incident.”
The Senate President said the nation must remember the courage of the military personnel who gave their lives while serving the country.
“A nation may mourn its fallen heroes, but it must never forget the courage with which they gave their lives in service to the Republic,” Akpabio said.
He described the crash as “a profoundly painful moment for our nation and, particularly, for the Nigerian Air Force,” while praying for the repose of the souls of the victims and for God to comfort their bereaved families and the nation.
President Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning and directed that national flags be flown at half-mast in honour of the fallen Air Force personnel.
The President also directed the Nigerian Air Force to commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash.
