Former Vice-President and 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has commiserated with the families of personnel and passengers who lost their lives in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The military aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, which was en route to Lagos from Benin, was carrying airmen, soldiers and members of their families when the unfortunate incident occurred near the Naval Base in Igbokoda.
Atiku described the crash as a tragic loss and extended his condolences to the families of the deceased, the Nigerian Air Force, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and the governments and people of Nigeria and Ondo State.
In a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday, the former vice-president said he was “deeply saddened” by the crash, which he said claimed 25 lives.
He described the scale and circumstances of the incident as “heartbreaking”, noting that lives of service, promise and innocence were lost in what he called a devastating moment.
Atiku said no words could adequately comfort parents who had lost their children, children who had lost their parents, and families suddenly deprived of their loved ones.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian Air Force and the Armed Forces of Nigeria, as well as the governments and people of Nigeria and Ondo State.
“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.”