‎BY AHMED AKANBI

‎

‎Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, AbdulAziz Musa Yar’Adua, have mourned the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft near Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, which killed all 32 persons on board.

‎

‎The ATR 42 aircraft went down with 25 passengers and seven crew members on Monday while on a routine mission from Benin-City to Lagos.

‎

‎In a condolence message through his Special Adviser, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio commiserated with President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and families of the victims.

‎

‎”I received with grief the tragic incident near Igbokoda resulting in the loss of 32 lives — 25 passengers and 7 crew members,” he said.

‎

‎On behalf of the Senate, Akpabio extended condolences to President Tinubu as Commander-in-Chief, the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of the Air Staff, officers and men of the Armed Forces and families of the deceased.

‎

‎”A nation may mourn its fallen heroes, but it must never forget the courage with which they gave their lives in service to the Republic,” the Senate President said.

‎

‎He described the incident as a profoundly painful moment for the nation and the Nigerian Air Force.

‎

‎In his statement, Yar’Adua, described the helicopter crash as a sad day for the Nigerian military, the Nigerian Air Force and families of deceased officers.

‎

‎”As a retired military officer, I understand the pain and weight of this loss. These brave men and women answered the call to serve our nation with courage, dedication and honour,” he said.

‎

‎Yar’Adua said their sacrifice will never be forgotten, lamenting: “This is indeed a sad day for the entire military family and for the nation as a whole.”

‎

‎He assured that the Senate Committee on Army stands with the Nigerian military and will continue to support efforts to honour fallen heroes and improve safety and welfare of troops.