No words can comfort families of NAF air crash victims – Atiku

Former Vice President and the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has mourned the 25 people who died in the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State.

Atiku described the incident as tragic and expressed condolences to the families of the victims, the Nigerian Air Force and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

In a post issued on his verified X handle on Tuesday, the former Vice-President said the loss would be particularly painful for families who had lost loved ones.

The post read, “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.

“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.”

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Atiku 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 repose of the souls of the deceased and strength for their families.

“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.

PUNCH Online earlier reported that the Nigerian Air Force confirmed the death of all 25 people on board an NAF ATR-42 aircraft that crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.

The aircraft, with registration number NAF 931, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.

The NAF, in a statement issued by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Tuesday, said the aircraft had five crew members and 20 passengers on board.