Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has described the military aircraft crash in Ondo State that claimed 25 lives as heartbreaking.
Atiku, in a condolence message issued on Tuesday through his social media handles, said he was deeply saddened by the loss of the Nigerian Air Force personnel, soldiers and civilians involved in the crash.
He said the tragedy had extinguished “lives of service, promise and innocence” in a devastating incident.
“The scale and circumstances of this tragedy are heartbreaking,” Atiku said.
He expressed sympathy for the families of the deceased, noting that the loss would be particularly painful for parents, children and relatives who had suddenly lost their loved ones.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of all the deceased. No words can adequately comfort parents who have lost children, children who have lost parents, or families suddenly deprived of their loved ones,” he said.
Atiku also extended his condolences to the Nigerian Air Force and the Armed Forces of Nigeria, as well as the governments and people of Nigeria and Ondo State.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of those killed in the crash and strength for their families and the country to bear the loss.
The former vice-president’s reaction came after the Nigerian Air Force released the identities of the 25 people who died in the crash of its ATR-42 aircraft in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
Politics Nigeria reports that the aircraft, with registration number NAF 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
According to the NAF, there were no survivors despite that search-and-rescue operations were activated immediately after the crash.
The five crew members were identified as Squadron Leader MI Aburime, the flight captain; Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje, co-pilot; Flight Lieutenant IS Bako, co-pilot; Warrant Officer Abubakar A, aircraft technician; and Corporal Uguru HC, aircraft technician.
It was learnt that the 20 passengers included Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus, Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye, Flying Officer IM Adeshina, Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F, Master Warrant Officer Matini BA, Warrant Officer Nuhu FS and Flight Sergeant James RB.
Others were Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI, Sergeant Ani AE, Sergeant Izibenikien SI, Sergeant Alafuka C, Sergeant Mbadugha AN, Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC, Lance Corporal Eledan GE, Mrs Ezeh Nneka, Godstmine Tarabina, Joy Micheal, Sunday Micheal, Ukeme David and Gideon Omotola.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, expressed condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the victims, describing the incident as a painful moment for the Air Force and the country.
Aneke has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The development also prompted President Bola Tinubu to declare a three-day national mourning for the Air Force personnel who died in the accident.
Tinubu directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the deceased.
The president also ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the cause of the crash, saying the findings should help prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The NAF urged the public to rely on verified information and avoid speculation as investigations continue. It also appealed for respect for the privacy and dignity of the bereaved families.
A condolence register has meanwhile been opened at the NAF headquarters in Abuja for government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, security chiefs and other well-wishers to pay their respects.
