Nigeria mourns victims of military plane crash

President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning following the crash of a Nigerian military aircraft in Ondo State that killed all 32 people on board.

Tinubu also ordered flags to be flown at half-mast across the country and directed the Nigerian Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash.

The aircraft was on a "routine mission" from Benin City in southern Nigeria to Lagos when it crashed near Igbokoda in Ondo State shortly after 9:00 a.m. local time (0800 GMT), according to the president and the Nigerian Air Force.

"This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation," Tinubu said. "Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten."

He commended the Nigerian Air Force for immediately launching a search-and-rescue operation, as well as first responders and the Ondo State government for their response at the crash site.

"I assure the Nigerian Air Force of the continued support of our administration as they continue their vital role in securing our nation," Tinubu said.

Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said earlier on X that the aircraft crashed near a naval base. Keyamo and Tinubu identified the aircraft as an ATR-42, a twin-engine turboprop manufactured to carry between 30 and 50 passengers.

Video footage circulating on social media showed a crowd gathered near a river as rescuers searched the area by boat.

Tinubu said he had ordered the Air Force to "immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences."

(With input from the wires)