Nigeria Air Force Plane Crash: 32 Killed, Three-Day National Mourning Declared

Ondo: A major military plane accident occurred in Nigeria on Monday. 32 people were killed when an air force plane crashed in Igbokoda area of ​​south-western Ondo state. The Chief of Air Staff of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, was also among the dead. Following the accident, President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning.

When and where did the accident happen?

According to the Office of the President and the Nigerian Air Force, the plane crashed near Igbokoda at about 9am on Monday. The plane was on a routine mission from Benin city in southern Nigeria to Lagos, the country's economic hub. During this time he became a victim of an accident.

How many people died in the accident?

According to the President's Office, a total of 32 people died in the accident. These include 25 passengers and 7 crew members. Information about the death of Air Staff Chief Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke has also come to light in the accident. This incident is being considered a big loss for the Nigerian Army and the entire country.

What did President Tinubu announce?

Following the accident, President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning. He also directed to lower the national flag at half mast across the country in honour of the deceased army personnel. The President has directed the Air Force to conduct an immediate and detailed investigation into the accident so that the causes of the accident can be ascertained and necessary steps can be taken to prevent such incidents in future.

Which plane met with an accident?

The aircraft involved in the accident was ATR-42. It is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft, which typically has a seating capacity of 30 to 50 passengers. The plane crashed near a naval base. After the accident, relief and rescue teams reached the spot and a search operation was conducted in the area.

When have such plane crashes happened before in Nigeria?

Many military and aircraft accidents have happened in Nigeria before. In May 2021, a military plane crash killed the country's top military commander, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, along with 10 other officers. The accident occurred in Kaduna state during bad weather.

In August 2015, a military plane crashed into a house in northern Nigeria, killing seven people. This month, six people, including an American pilot, lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Lagos.