The Convener of the National Committee of Yoruba Youth and President of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups Against Terrorism in Nigeria, Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi, has expressed deep condolences over the death of 25 people in the Nigerian Air Force ATR 42 aircraft crash in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
Odeyemi, in a condolence message, described the incident as a tragic loss that had plunged the nation into deep sorrow, noting that the magnitude of the tragedy was difficult to capture in words.
He commiserated with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and, particularly, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, as well as officers and personnel of the Nigerian Air Force.
He also condoled with the families of the victims, their colleagues and loved ones, as well as the government and people of Ondo State.
Odeyemi said the victims were not merely passengers and crew members but sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, colleagues, friends and fellow Nigerians whose lives and contributions would be deeply missed.
He commended the immediate search-and-rescue response involving the Nigerian Air Force, Defence Headquarters, emergency responders, Ondo State Government, Nigerian Navy and local communities.
The civil society leader also called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, stressing that the process should be conducted with professionalism, transparency, independence and technical rigour.
According to him, the objective of the investigation should go beyond establishing what happened to identifying lessons that would strengthen safety systems, improve operational procedures and prevent future tragedies.
Odeyemi urged the government and relevant institutions to place the bereaved families at the centre of the national response by providing sustained institutional support, timely information and dignity.
He said the sacrifice of those who died, particularly those who served in uniform, should never be forgotten.
“Nigeria mourns as one. Nigeria stands together. And Nigeria must emerge from this tragedy more committed to the safety, dignity and protection of all who serve the nation,” he said.
Odeyemi prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of the victims and asked God to grant their families, colleagues, the Nigerian Air Force and the entire nation the strength to bear the painful loss.
