ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a three-day period of national mourning in honour of Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in the military aircraft crash at Igbokoda, Ondo State. The President also directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country throughout the mourning period as a mark of respect for the fallen personnel. The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State while undertaking a routine mission from Benin to Lagos. The aircraft had 25 passengers and seven crew members on board. Reacting to the tragedy, President Tinubu described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the nation, stressing that the sacrifices of military personnel who risk their lives in the service of Nigeria would not be forgotten. “This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation. Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten". Tinubu also directed the Nigerian Air Force to commence an immediate and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, with a view to determining its cause and preventing a recurrence. The President commended the Nigerian Air Force for activating search-and-rescue operations following the incident, as well as first responders and the Ondo State Government for their response at the crash site. The Presidency said the identities of the deceased personnel would be officially released after their families had been contacted. The tragedy has cast a pall of grief over the Armed Forces, with the nation expected to observe the three-day mourning period in tribute to the personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty.