… Says disaster “profound loss” to Air Force, Nigeria

… Seeks divine comfort

The senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Jide Ipinsagba, has extended condolences to the officers and men of the Nigerian Air Force, the bereaved families, friends and colleagues, and the entire country over the tragic air crash that occurred on Monday.

The federal lawmaker, in a statement, described the incident as a profound loss to the Air Force and the country, saying the pain of the tragedy was one that would be felt across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

The Nigeria Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, which went down on Monday morning, is buried and submerged deep in the swamp, making it an herculean task for the search team to operate optimally.

The crash, which has plunged the country into mourning, occurred when the aircraft, which was on a routine mission from Benin, Edo State Capital, to Lagos, fell into the Igbokoda creeks with 25 souls on board.

Ipinsagba prayed that God would grant the departed eternal rest and give their families, colleagues, and loved ones the fortitude to bear what he called “an irreparable loss at this difficult moment.”

He further prayed that God would comfort the Nigerian Air Force and the entire nation and grant peace and healing to all those affected by the tragedy.

The crash, which occurred in Ondo State, claimed the lives of military personnel and others on board, drawing an outpouring of grief and condolences from across the country.

The Nigerian Air Force has since confirmed the fatalities and identified the victims, while the process of investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash had commenced.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered a thorough probe into the crash and declared a period of national mourning, while international partners, including the United States Mission to Nigeria, have sent messages of condolence to the government and people of Nigeria.