President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for the Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in a military aircraft crash in Ondo State.

The President also directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect for the deceased officers.

The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed on Monday near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State while on a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos.

Preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board the aircraft, bringing the total number of people aboard to 32.

Tinubu described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the country, extending his condolences to the families of those affected, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and personnel of the Nigerian Air Force.

The President said the sacrifice of Air Force personnel who put their lives on the line in the service of the country would not be forgotten.

He also directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash, with the aim of preventing similar incidents in the future.

Tinubu commended the Air Force for activating a search and rescue operation following the accident, as well as first responders and the Ondo State Government for their response at the crash site.

The Nigerian Air Force had earlier confirmed the crash and said it activated an immediate search and rescue operation in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.

The names of the affected officers were not immediately released, with the Presidency saying the Air Force would first contact their families before making the identities public.