Nigeria declares three days of mourning after military aircraft crash kills 32

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has declared a three-day period of national mourning following a military aircraft crash that claimed 32 lives. The plane, on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos, crashed near a naval base in Ondo State on Monday morning. Among those killed were 25 passengers and seven crew members.

A resident reported that the plane had crashed near a swamp, where clothes and shoes were found. Smoke was visible rising from the crash site. President Tinubu expressed deep condolences for the victims and ordered a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the accident. He also directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country as a sign of respect for the fallen.

Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo informed the president that efforts to contact the aircraft on radio were unsuccessful, leading to confirmation of the crash near the naval base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. Search and rescue operations are currently underway. The aircraft, an ATR-42, typically carries between 30 and 50 passengers.

President Tinubu has tasked the Air Force with initiating an immediate and thorough investigation to prevent similar incidents in the future. The identities of the deceased are yet to be released, with their publication pending notification to their families. The Nigerian Air Force, a crucial component of the country's military operations, including fighting against armed groups and maintaining security, suffered its deadliest air disaster in recent years.