Abuja, October 6 (TNA) A Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashed in southwestern Nigeria, killing all 32 people on board, including 25 passengers and seven crew members, authorities said. The ATR-42 aircraft was operating a routine mission from Benin City in Edo State to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it shortly after 9 a.m. local time on Monday. The wreckage was later located near Igbokoda in Ondo State, close to a naval base.
President Bola Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and extended condolences to the families of the victims. He also ordered an immediate investigation into the crash's cause. Tinubu declared three days of national mourning in honour of those who lost their lives in the accident.
Search-and-rescue teams were deployed after the aircraft disappeared from radar, but officials later confirmed that there were no survivors. Authorities are continuing efforts to establish the circumstances leading to the crash.