Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed grief over the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash in Ondo State that claimed the lives of all 32 people on board, while calling for a thorough and transparent investigation into the cause of the incident.
The party, in a statement issued on Monday, October 5, 2026, by its National Publicity Secretary of the Interim National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, condoled with the Nigerian Air Force and the families of the victims.
The aircraft, an ATR-42, crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State while travelling from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos on a routine mission.
According to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, the aircraft had 25 passengers and seven crew members on board. The aircraft, with registration number NGR 931, reportedly disappeared from radar at about 9:13 a.m. before its wreckage was located near the naval base.
The PDP National Chairman, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, described the loss of the service personnel as deeply painful and acknowledged their contribution to the country.
“Our service personnel have given so much for the unity and survival of this country, and news of their deaths is deeply painful,” Turaki said.
He extended the party’s condolences to the Nigerian Air Force and the families of those who died in the crash.
“On behalf of the PDP family, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the NAF and the families of the fallen. We pray that such tragedies do not recur,” he added.
The opposition party also urged the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The call comes as the Federal Government has separately directed that an investigation be conducted into the accident.
President Bola Tinubu, who expressed sadness over the crash, said he had directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into its cause, with the aim of preventing similar incidents in the future.
The President also declared a three-day national mourning period for the Air Force personnel who died in the crash and directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect.
The Presidency said the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred near a naval base in Igbokoda.
Tinubu also commended the Nigerian Air Force for activating search and rescue operations following the crash, as well as first responders and the Ondo State Government for their response at the scene.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau also urged the public to rely on official information from the Nigerian Air Force regarding the crash and any subsequent investigation.
The accident occurred on Monday morning, October 5, in Igbokoda, a riverside community in Ilaje Local Government Area.
The aircraft had reportedly disappeared from radar before emergency and rescue teams were mobilised to locate the crash site. Initial reports from the scene said parts of the aircraft were found near a river and around the naval base.
The Associated Press reported that the aircraft was carrying 32 people and that search and rescue operations were initially launched after the crash, with no immediate confirmation of casualties at the time.
Later statements from the Presidency and political parties indicated that there were no survivors among the 25 passengers and seven crew members.
The identities of the deceased Air Force personnel had not initially been released, with the Presidency saying the Nigerian Air Force would make the names public after their families had been notified.
The PDP’s demand for a transparent investigation places emphasis on establishing the circumstances that led to the aircraft losing contact with radar and crashing during what authorities described as a routine mission.
The party prayed for the repose of the souls of those who died and asked for strength for their families and colleagues in the Nigerian Air Force.
The crash has triggered expressions of grief from political leaders, government officials and institutions, with the incident coming at a time when the Nigerian military continues to rely on aircraft for transportation, surveillance and other operational duties.
The government-ordered investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash and determine whether any operational, technical or other factors contributed to the accident.
As of Tuesday, October 6, the Federal Government had not released a detailed preliminary finding on the cause of the crash.
The PDP said its thoughts and prayers remained with the families of the deceased personnel and the Nigerian Air Force.
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