NAF aircraft crash: Atiku, ACF, CAN mourn 25 victims

Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have expressed condolences following the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State that claimed 25 lives.

The Nigerian Air Force ATR 42 aircraft, with tail number NAF 931, crashed into a swamp near Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday, October 5, while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

The Air Force confirmed that all 25 people on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, died in the crash.

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The victims included airmen, soldiers and civilians, including family members.

Reacting to the tragedy in a post on Tuesday, Atiku described the circumstances surrounding the crash as heartbreaking.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State that claimed 25 lives,” he said.

He said the loss of airmen, soldiers and members of their families was particularly painful, noting that lives of service and promise had been lost in the incident.

Atiku extended his condolences to the families of the victims, 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 victims’ souls and strength for their families and the country to bear the loss.

Also reacting, the Arewa Consultative Forum described the crash as tragic, saying the loss of 25 military personnel and crew was particularly painful at a time the country was confronting insecurity, insurgency and terrorism.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad Baba, the forum said it was “pained and mourns the tragic loss of 25 lives” in the incident.

The ACF said the loss of military personnel was particularly unfortunate given their role in efforts to tackle insecurity in the country.

It also noted the impact of the tragedy on the families, friends and loved ones of those who died.

The forum welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, saying lessons from the exercise should be used to prevent similar incidents in the future.

It expressed condolences to the Federal Government, the people of Nigeria, the Nigerian Air Force, the military establishment and the families and friends of the deceased.

Similarly, the Christian Association of Nigeria expressed grief over the crash and extended condolences to the families of the deceased personnel and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement on Tuesday, said the Christian community was deeply saddened by the incident.

“On behalf of the Christian community in Nigeria, I extend heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased personnel, the Nigerian Air Force, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and the people and Government of Ondo State,” he said.

Okoh said members of the Armed Forces made significant sacrifices in the service of the country, adding that their families also bore the consequences of those sacrifices.

He welcomed the decision to investigate the crash and urged the authorities to ensure that the process was thorough, professional and transparent.

The CAN president also called for appropriate attention to be given to the findings and safety recommendations arising from the investigation.

He said the incident highlighted the need to strengthen aviation safety, aircraft maintenance, operational procedures and emergency response systems, particularly for military personnel involved in difficult assignments.

“Every life lost is precious,” Okoh said, urging Nigerians to remember the affected families and the Nigerian Air Force in their prayers.