Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning after a military aircraft crash in southern Ondo State resulted in 32 fatalities. The incident occurred on Monday morning, with authorities stating the plane was on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos.
The aircraft, an ATR-42, crashed near a naval base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. President Tinubu offered condolences for the 25 passengers and seven crew members who died and has ordered a full investigation into the cause of the crash. He also ordered national flags to be flown at half-mast across the country.
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo had earlier reported the disappearance of military aircraft NGR 931, en route to Lagos from Benin. Efforts to contact the aircraft were unsuccessful before its crash was confirmed. The identities of those who died have not yet been released, with authorities planning to publish names after families are informed.