By Opeyemi Adelakun
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condoled with the families of the 25 people killed in the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State.
Atiku, who is also the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, expressed his condolences in a post on his verified X handle on Tuesday.
He described the crash as tragic, noting that the circumstances surrounding the incident made the loss particularly painful for the affected families.
According to him, the victims included airmen, soldiers and members of their families whose lives were cut short in the crash.
Atiku said, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State that claimed 25 lives.
“The scale and circumstances of this tragedy are heartbreaking. Among those who lost their lives were airmen, soldiers and members of their families. Lives of service, promise and innocence were extinguished in one devastating moment.”
He added, “My thoughts and prayers are with the families of all the deceased. No words can adequately comfort parents who have lost children, children who have lost parents, or families suddenly deprived of their loved ones.”
The former Vice President also extended his condolences to the Nigerian Air Force, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the governments and people of Nigeria and Ondo State.
He prayed for the souls of the deceased and asked God to strengthen those affected by the tragedy.
“May Almighty God grant eternal rest to the souls of the departed, comfort their grieving families and give the Nigerian Air Force and our nation the strength to bear this painful loss,” Atiku said.
The NAF had confirmed that all 25 occupants of the ATR-42 aircraft died in the crash in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The aircraft, registered NAF 931, was undertaking a routine flight from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred. The Air Force said the aircraft had five crew members and 20 passengers on board.
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