Military Plane Crash: President Tinubu Declares 3-Day Mourning, Orders Flag Flown At Half-mast

By Adesina Soyooye

A devastated President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces,  Bola Tinubu, has declared a three-day mourning for the  32 people who perished when a military aircraft crashed on Monday, October 5 in Ondo State. He also ordered that all flags be flown at half-mast in honour of the dead.

Nigeria witnessed its worst plane crash in 2026 when the Airforce jet                which took off from Benin on what has been said to be a routine mission to Lagos, lost contact with the control tower, not too long after it took off and crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

Sadly, there was no survivor as the 32 souls were lost. The terrain of the scene was difficult to access as the ill-fated aircraft plunged into a swampy area in the coastal community.

While it is not confirmed, yet, if  bodies have been recovered, eye witnesses confirm that body parts and personal effects have been seen scattered in the river.  The identities of those on board have not been made public but they would be a combination of officers and other ranks.

President Tinubu  has ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash. It will be accelerated when the black box is recovered. That will give a clearer picture of  what exactly happened before the final crash of the aircraft.