Defence Minister Mourns Military Personnel, Civilians Killed in Nigerian Air Force Aircraft Crash

Minister of Defence Christopher Gwabin Musa has expressed grief over the crash of a Nigerian military aircraft with tail number NAF 931, which killed military personnel and civilians on board.

Musa described the incident as a painful loss to the Armed Forces and the country, saying the military personnel were carrying out a routine flight mission when the aircraft crashed.
The minister said the deceased personnel served with courage, dedication and patriotism. He described them as professionals who demonstrated loyalty and commitment to the defence of Nigeria.

“The loss of these valiant patriots is an irreparable blow not only to the military high command and their comrades-in-arms, but to the entire Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Musa said.

Musa extended his condolences to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the leadership of the Armed Forces and the families, loved ones and colleagues of the deceased military personnel.
He also expressed sympathy to the families of the civilians who were aboard the aircraft, saying the country shared in their grief over the loss.

The Defence Minister disclosed that a comprehensive investigation had been ordered to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash. He said the findings would help ensure that necessary operational safety protocols are reinforced across military aviation units.