Connect with us

News

Tinubu mourns fallen Air Force personnel, says sacrifice won’t be forgotten

Published

on

President Bola Tinubu has mourned Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in an aircraft crash, declaring that their sacrifice to the country will never be forgotten.

In a post on his verified X handle on Tuesday, the President stated that Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure the country.

“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,” the President said.

Tinubu also commiserated with the families of the deceased, noting that the loss extended beyond the military to their loved ones.

“Behind every uniform is a family. A spouse, a child, a parent, a brother or sister who expected their loved one home. Nigeria grieves with them.

“I have declared three days of national mourning and directed that our flags be flown at half-mast throughout the country in honour of those we have lost,” he said.

The President said the Chief of Air Staff had briefed him on the incident and directed the Nigerian Air Force to commence an investigation into the cause of the crash.

“The Chief of Air Staff has briefed me, and I have directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences,” he said.

Tinubu also commended the Nigerian Air Force for activating a search and rescue operation following the accident.

“We honour their service. We remember their sacrifice. May the souls of our departed heroes rest in peace,” the President added.

See also  African Nations move towards unified reparations claim against Britain

Source: punchng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Anambra CP queries DPO, two officers over disappearance of armed robbery suspect

Published

on

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, Nnanna Ama, has ordered the immediate issuance of queries to the Divisional Police Officer in charge of 3-3 Police Station and a Deputy Superintendent of Police.

Ama also directed the immediate commencement of disciplinary proceedings against an Inspector of Police over the disappearance and unknown whereabouts of an armed robbery suspect reportedly arrested and brought to the station.

In a statement on Tuesday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the CP gave the directive after personally interviewing the complainant and the police officers concerned over a viral video alleging that an armed robbery suspect arrested and brought to the station could not be accounted for.

The statement read, “The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Ama, has ordered the immediate issuance of queries to the Divisional Police Officer in charge of 3-3 Police Station and a Deputy Superintendent of Police, while directing the immediate commencement of disciplinary proceedings against an Inspector of Police.

“The directive followed allegations concerning the whereabouts of an armed robbery suspect reportedly arrested and brought to the station. The Commissioner gave the directives on October 5, 2026, after personally interviewing the complainant and the police officers concerned over a viral video alleging that an armed robbery suspect arrested and brought to the station could not be accounted for.

“The CP described the allegation as serious and capable of undermining public confidence in the Police. He stressed that the Command would not condone any act of unprofessional conduct, dereliction of duty, abuse of office or compromise of established procedures by any police officer.

See also  Meet 59-year-old Lagos-born Tunji Disu named Inspector-General of Police

“The Commissioner has consequently directed the X-Squad of the Command to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest, detention, documentation and subsequent whereabouts of the suspect, including the actions and responsibilities of officers involved.

“The CP further disclosed that necessary operational measures have been put in place to facilitate the arrest of the suspect, while assuring members of the public that the Command would communicate the outcome of the investigation when established.”

Ikenga said the Commissioner also cautioned members of the public against circulating unverified information capable of prejudicing an ongoing investigation, noting that facts must be established through due process.

“He reiterated that accountability remains a core component of the Command’s leadership philosophy, and that no police officer is above scrutiny or the established disciplinary process,” the statement added.

Source: punchng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

News

Ondo crash: FG won’t abandon bereaved families, says Shettima

Published

on

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday assured the families of the 25 personnel killed in Monday’s Nigerian Air Force plane crash in Ondo State that the Federal Government’s responsibility to them “will not end with words of condolence.”

In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, on Tuesday, Shettima said the nation owes an “enduring debt of gratitude” to the fallen personnel and would stand beside their families beyond the period of mourning.

He said, “Thirty-two of our compatriots left on a routine mission in the service of their country.

“They were colleagues, friends and comrades. But beyond the uniforms they wore and the ranks they held, they were husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters.”

The Vice President added, “Somewhere today, there is an empty chair. Somewhere, a family is still trying to comprehend the sudden silence left by someone who was expected to return home. These are the human faces of the supreme sacrifice we speak about as a nation.”

Shettima reasoned that a nation that asks its citizens to serve “must also remember those who pay the ultimate price in that service.”

He said the loss imposed a lasting obligation on the country to honour both the service of the deceased and the loved ones they left behind.

“We cannot ask the bereaved to be strong today. Grief does not obey instructions.

“We can only assure them that Nigeria remembers, Nigeria mourns with them, and Nigeria will stand beside them beyond these days of mourning,” noted VP Shettima.

He extended his condolences to officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, saying the tragedy had taken from the service members of “a professional family bound together by duty and sacrifice.”

See also  UK Tightens Security For Tinubu’s State Visit

“To the men and women of the Nigerian Air Force, we know that this loss is yours in a particularly personal way.

“Your fallen colleagues have paid the supreme price. A grateful nation honours their courage, their service and the families who shared them with Nigeria,” he said.

The Vice President prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased, and for comfort and strength for their families, colleagues and loved ones.

The former lawmaker also reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s response to the tragedy.

Tinubu had declared three days of national mourning and ordered that flags be flown at half-mast nationwide. He also directed a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the crash.

The President described the incident as “a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation,” and commended the rapid activation of search-and-rescue efforts by the Air Force, the Ondo State Government and first responders.

The aircraft, an ATR-42 with tail number NGR 931, crashed near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday while on a routine flight from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos.

All 32 people on board, 25 passengers and seven crew members, were killed. As of this report, the Air Force had released the names of the fallen.

Source: punchng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

News

Ondo air crash: Reps Air Force committee chairman urges calm

Published

on

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Air Force, Kabiru Alhassan, has expressed concern over the reported crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Ondo State, urging Nigerians to remain calm as rescue efforts continue.

Alhassan, in a message of solidarity issued on Tuesday, said he was deeply saddened by the incident involving the aircraft, which was reportedly carrying 32 passengers and crew.

He said the status of those on board had yet to be confirmed as emergency responders and security agencies continued rescue operations at the crash site.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the passengers, crew members, their families and loved ones at this difficult moment,” he said.

The lawmaker commended the Nigerian Air Force, security agencies, emergency responders and other personnel involved in the operation for their prompt response.

He expressed hope that those on board would be found safe, urging Nigerians to remain calm and prayerful while the rescue operation continues.

“I earnestly pray and remain hopeful that those on board will be found safe,” Alhassan said.

He also appealed to members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information, saying authorities were still working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and account for everyone on board.

The incident comes amid growing concern over aviation safety following previous aircraft emergencies involving both military and civilian operations in the country.

The Nigerian Air Force is expected to provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the crash and the outcome of the rescue operation as information becomes available.

See also  Russia urges US to follow international law amid Nigeria military threat

The House committee chairman reiterated his solidarity with the passengers, crew members and their families, while urging personnel involved in the rescue effort to sustain their operations.

PUNCH Online reports that a military aircraft that crashed on Monday had disappeared from radar shortly after take-off, according to a senior Air Traffic Controller familiar with the aircraft’s final journey. https://punchng.com/ondo-air-crash-naf-plane-vanished-from-radar-shortly-after-take-off/

The aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was travelling from Benin City, the Edo State capital, to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13 am, before it crashed into a swamp in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area in Ondo State.

Source: punchng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

Trending