Nigeria: Tinubu declares three days of mourning after military plane crash kills 25

Nigeria has declared three days of national mourning after a military aircraft crashed in Ondo State, killing 25 people.

The Nigerian Air Force said five crew members and 20 passengers died in the crash, revising an earlier figure of 32 deaths given by Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo.

The aircraft was travelling from Benin City to Lagos on a routine mission when it crashed into a swamp near a naval base in Igbokoda on Monday morning.

Officials said the aircraft was submerged when rescuers reached the crash site, while residents reported seeing smoke and finding clothing and shoes in the area.

The Nigerian Air Force said 19 of those killed were military personnel and has released their names.

President Bola Tinubu expressed condolences to the families of the victims and ordered a full investigation into the cause of the crash.

“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 added.

Tinubu also directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country during the mourning period.

The crash is the deadliest involving a Nigerian military aircraft since 1992.