Tinubu mourns after NAF ATR-42 crashes near Igbokoda, orders full investigation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sorrow and ordered a full investigation after a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft crashed on Monday near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.

Multiple national outlets reported that the aircraft came down close to the naval base in Igbokoda, in Ilaje Local Government Area. Officials described the flight as a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

What the president ordered

Tinubu directed the NAF to immediately commence a thorough inquiry into the circumstances that led to the accident, according to government and media accounts. Several reports said the president had instructed security agencies and the armed forces to investigate and provide a comprehensive account of events surrounding the crash.

Casualties and response

Two national outlets reported that 32 people were killed in the crash. Legit.ng said 32 people were onboard the ATR-42 when it came down and praised what it described as swift search-and-rescue efforts; Daily Post and other reports also gave the figure of 32 fatalities. The Nigerian Tribune quoted NAF director of public relations and information Ehimen Ejodame saying the flight was a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

Daily Trust said Tinubu had expressed sadness over the incident and that Bayo Onanuga, the president’s Special Adviser, disclosed the directive for an immediate investigation. ThisDay and Punch likewise reported that the president ordered a probe and conveyed condolences to those affected.

Why it matters

A crash involving a military transport aircraft raises questions about operational safety, maintenance practices, and the conditions under which military flights are conducted. The president’s instruction for a comprehensive probe signals a demand for transparency on the cause of the accident and any systemic issues that may have contributed.

Next steps and expectations

Authorities have been ordered to investigate promptly, but details about the scope of the inquiry, who will lead it, and an expected timeline for findings were not provided in the reports. Local and federal security agencies are likely to be involved, and the NAF has been tasked with leading an internal examination.

The reports cited here do not include official published findings, and other specifics — such as a definitive cause, passenger and crew lists, or the status of survivors — were not available in the accounts reviewed. The government’s pending investigation is expected to produce more detailed information about the crash and its causes.

Officials have been urged by observers and local communities to ensure the investigation is thorough and to release results publicly. For now, the president’s public mourning and his directive for a full probe are the clearest government responses to the incident.