Tinubu declare three-day mourning for victims of Nigeria military aircraft crash

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning following a military aircraft crash in southern Ondo State that claimed 32 lives, while expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy.

Authorities stated that the aircraft was on a routine flight from Benin City to Lagos when it went down near a naval base on Monday morning.

President Tinubu extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the 25 passengers and seven crew members on board, while ordering a thorough investigation into the incident.

According to an official statement issued by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the crash as deeply painful and offered prayers for the victims and their grieving families.

The President also directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect for those who died.

"This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation," Tinubu said. "Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. We will never forget their sacrifice."

'Aircraft Submerged' – Ondo Search and Rescue Team

The Ondo State Government has launched a search and rescue operation for the downed aircraft.

The response team includes representatives of the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, led by Wellington Oriade Adebawo, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Emergency Response and Safety Enforcement.

They visited the reported crash site on Monday, October 5, 2026, to assess conditions and support efforts to locate the personnel on board.

Other members of the delegation include officials from the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency (ODSEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), representatives of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, and other responders.

Nigerian Navy personnel initiated initial assessment and search efforts. Reports indicate that the aircraft was found submerged in water, severely hindering access to the wreckage and the occupants inside.

"The state government has consequently intensified coordination with relevant federal agencies and other stakeholders involved in the operation, with efforts focused on locating the aircraft and recovering the occupants," the state government announced, noting that search and rescue operations would resume on Tuesday.

In an official statement, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, expressed regret in notifying the public: "Air Traffic Controllers have informed me of the disappearance of a military aircraft with tail number NGR 931, which departed Benin for Lagos at 0913 hours earlier today. All efforts to establish radio contact with the aircraft proved abortive."

He noted that confirmation of the crash followed the breakdown in radio communication.

"Subsequent information, however, confirmed that the military aircraft crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The wreckage has been located, and search and rescue operations are ongoing."

According to the minister, preliminary records indicate that 25 passengers and 7 crew members were on board.

He added that while the oversight and regulation of military aviation lie entirely outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Aviation and the Civil Aviation Authority, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, pledged complete cooperation and resources to support the ongoing search and rescue efforts.

'We Heard a Deafening Roar Like Thunder' – Eyewitness Accounts

Earlier, local resident Olorunlola Oluwafemi told the BBC that rain was falling when residents suddenly heard "a deafening sound like thunder."

Realizing the sound was not weather-related, he said: "We came outside and discovered what looked like a jet."

He observed plumes of smoke billowing from the impact site.

According to Mr. Oluwafemi, the aircraft went down near a forested area adjacent to the naval Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Igbokoda.

Another eyewitness, Asogbon Alexander, told the BBC: "We initially thought it was thunder, but we later learned it was a plane crash. We mobilized canoes and set out to search. We searched for over two hours until we located it inside the swampy forest. We couldn't recover anything or bring anyone out; we saw shoes, clothing, and scattered human remains."

He added: "We noticed the engine had sunk into the water, and we couldn't pull it out. We found no intact bodies, dead or alive, and we could not determine who was inside the aircraft."

The Nigerian Navy alongside other security agencies have deployed operatives to the perimeter, where recovery operations remain underway.

Recent Timeline of Military and Charter Aircraft Crashes in Nigeria

While aviation disasters remain relatively infrequent in Nigeria, several notable accidents have occurred in recent years:

• On October 24, 2024, a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter operated by Eastwind Aviation and chartered by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Bonny Finima, near Port Harcourt, killing eight personnel en route to an offshore oil rig.

• On December 1, 2023, a Nigerian Air Force helicopter crashed in Port Harcourt during an anti-crude oil theft operation in Rivers State, leaving all crew members with varying injuries.

• In August 2023, a Nigerian Air Force aircraft en route from Kaduna to Minna crashed in a rural village within Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

• In July 2023, an FT-7NI trainer aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Air Force crashed during a routine training mission in Makurdi, Benue State; both pilots survived after ejecting and were hospitalized, prompting an official board of inquiry.

• On February 6, 2023, a maritime patrol aircraft conducted an emergency crash-landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos after experiencing a landing-gear failure during a routine flight.

BBC

Nigerian military aircraft crashes, killing 32

A Nigerian ​military plane flying from Benin City ‌to Lagos crashed on Monday in southwestern Ondo state, killing 25 passengers and seven crew ​members.

President Bola Tinubu, confirming that ​there were no survivors, expressed "profound sadness" and ⁠extended condolences to the families of ​those aboard.

"The Chief of Air Staff has ​briefed me, and I have directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation ​into the cause of the crash ​to prevent future occurrences," Tinubu said in a ‌statement.

The ⁠Air Force ATR-42 aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact ​with it ​at 0813 ⁠GMT on Monday, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said. The accident was one ​of the deadliest air disasters ​in ⁠Nigeria in recent years.

The wreckage was later located near the coastal town of Igbokoda, ⁠where ​search and rescue teams ​were deployed.

By Camillus Eboh and Macdonald Dzirutwe, Reuters

China dominates Nigeria's economy through trade and infrastructure

Walk through a Nigerian electronics market, a building-materials outlet or a motorcycle-parts shop, and China’s presence is hard to miss. The products may be inexpensive chargers, solar equipment, machinery or household goods, but the relationship now reaches well beyond what consumers can pick up and carry home.

According to the figures reported by Fellow Press, Chinese goods made up roughly 39 percent of Nigeria’s total imports in the first half of 2026. That means China isn’t simply one supplier among many. It’s a major pipeline for the products Nigerian businesses and households rely on every day.

The shift is especially important because Chinese firms are increasingly involved in the systems behind those products, from logistics and ports to communications equipment and industrial machinery. China’s role is becoming less about a label on a package and more about the infrastructure that keeps commerce moving.

A booming trade relationship, with a lopsided balance

Trade between the two countries has expanded quickly. Vanguard reported that bilateral trade rose by 35 percent in the first half of 2026, reaching roughly $17.4 billion, according to figures cited by China’s ambassador to Nigeria.

But the headline growth hides a stubborn imbalance. Nigeria sells China commodities such as sesame, rubber, leather, tin and other raw materials, while importing machinery, telecommunications equipment, motorcycles, PVC products, solar technology and a wide range of manufactured goods.

That pattern matters because it leaves Nigeria exposed to shipping delays, currency pressure and changes in Chinese production. If costs rise at the factory gate in China, or vessels are disrupted, Nigerian importers and consumers can feel the impact quickly. It’s a trade relationship with plenty of motion, but not yet enough value flowing in both directions.

Chinese companies are helping build the country’s backbone

China’s influence is also set in concrete and steel. Chinese contractors have participated in major road, rail and port developments, including the Lagos-Ibadan railway, the Kaduna-Kano railway and the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

The Kaduna-Kano line is a useful example of how deep the connection can become. Chinese financing, engineering expertise and construction companies are all tied to the project, creating a relationship that goes well beyond selling equipment. As Vanguard’s reporting on the wider trade relationship suggests, these projects link commercial interests with long-term infrastructure development.

Ports add another layer. The Lekki project is designed to handle larger container vessels and improve Nigeria’s maritime capacity, while Chinese engineering involvement connects the country’s import market to the routes through which those goods arrive. Ideally, the same infrastructure should also make it easier for Nigerian producers to reach overseas customers.

Ogun is becoming a test case for local manufacturing

The most promising change may be the move from importing finished goods to producing more items inside Nigeria. Ogun State, particularly the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone, has become a visible hub for Chinese-linked industrial activity.

The zone has attracted manufacturers and industrial companies, offering a platform for production, logistics and regional distribution. That could mean jobs, supplier opportunities, technical skills and a gradual reduction in import dependence. For Nigeria, this is the more attractive version of the relationship: Chinese capital and know-how helping create Nigerian production capacity.

Still, a factory’s presence alone doesn’t guarantee broad economic benefits. Local firms need access to contracts, workers need meaningful training and manufacturers need reliable power, roads and finance. The best results will come when Nigerian companies become active partners rather than spectators beside an imported production model.

Affordable goods bring benefits, but local producers feel the squeeze

Chinese products remain popular partly because they’re affordable. For households managing high living costs, a lower-priced phone accessory, solar panel or appliance can make a real difference. Price is a powerful argument, especially when budgets are tight.

The problem is that local manufacturers must compete with huge Chinese production networks and established supply chains. That can make it difficult for Nigerian businesses to scale, particularly when they also face expensive electricity, transport bottlenecks and limited access to credit.

So Nigeria faces a delicate balancing act. Protectionist policies could give local producers breathing room, but excessive restrictions might push up the price of everyday goods. The practical answer is likely to involve smarter local-content rules, stronger industrial infrastructure and incentives that reward companies for manufacturing and training inside Nigeria.

The next phase will depend on what Nigeria negotiates

Chinese financing is important, but it shouldn’t be mistaken for ownership of Nigeria’s economy. Debt data cited in the wider reporting shows that Chinese lenders are significant creditors, though multilateral and commercial lenders account for larger portions of Nigeria’s external debt.

The more revealing question is what Nigeria receives in exchange for Chinese capital and access. Are projects creating local suppliers? Are workers gaining transferable skills? Are factories producing goods for export? And are Nigerian businesses moving up the value chain instead of remaining import agents?

China needs Nigeria too. The country offers a huge consumer market, access to West Africa and supplies of agricultural and mineral commodities. That gives Nigerian policymakers room to seek stronger trade terms, better technology transfer and more local production.

For now, China is neither simply a helpful trading partner nor an all-powerful controller. It’s a deeply embedded economic partner whose influence is growing across shops, factories, railways, ports and digital networks. What happens next will depend largely on whether Nigeria turns that relationship into industrial strength.

Disclaimer: This article may have been created with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team. It is provided for general informational purposes only. Readers should verify information independently before relying on this content.

Global Sources

WAEC appoints new Registrar, Head of Nigeria office

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has appointed Amos Dangut as its new Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, while Suleiman Kum has been named Head of the Nigeria National Office.

Mr Dangut, who previously headed WAEC’s Nigeria National Office, assumed office as Registrar in October 2026, while Mr Kum succeeded him as Head of the Nigeria office.

The appointments were announced in separate statements by WAEC spokesperson, Moyosola Adesina.

According to the council, Mr Dangut succeeds Pateh Bah of The Gambia and will serve a five-year term until September 2031.

WAEC said its International Governing Board ratified Mr Dangut’s appointment at its 74th Annual Meeting held in Accra, Ghana, in March.

As Registrar, he will oversee the council’s operations across its member countries.

Mr Kum, who served in the office of the Head of National Office before his appointment, takes over the Nigeria office following Mr Dangut’s elevation.

About Amos Dangut

Mr Dangut was born on 2 October 1967.

He obtained a Bachelor of Agriculture in Animal Production in 1991, a Master of Science in Animal Science in 1994, a Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Science in 2017 and a Master of Education in Administration and Planning in 2020.

He began his career in education at St Louis College, Jos, in 1994, where he also served as a WAEC examiner before joining the council in 1998.

At WAEC, he served in several capacities, including Assistant Registrar/Subject Officer in the Test Development Division, Head of Examinations Security, Deputy Branch Controller in Uyo and Bauchi, Branch Controller in Yola, Controller of the Post Examinations Department and Zonal Coordinator of the Ikeja Zonal Office.

He served as Deputy Registrar in the office of the Head of National Office between August and October 2023 before becoming Head of the Nigeria National Office on 2 October 2023.

He remained in that position until he was appointed the 14th Registrar of WAEC.

The examination body described Mr Dangut as an experienced test developer and administrator with expertise in test development and administration, branch and zonal office management.

The council said that for more than two decades, he had used information and communications technology to improve processes in test development, post-test activities and test administration.

His career also includes recognition from the Nigeria Examinations Committee for his handling of examination matters between 2000 and 2006. He also received an award for meritorious service from the Ondo State government and Akoko South Local Government during his NYSC service.

About Suleiman Kum

Mr Kum was born on 16 October 1970 in Minna, Niger State, and hails from Langtang North LGA of Plateau State.

He attended Baptist High School, Jos, where he obtained his General Certificate of Education in 1986/1987. He subsequently studied at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, where he obtained a Bachelor of Agriculture in Animal Production with Second Class Honours, Upper Division, in 1992.

He later obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in 2025 and is currently completing a Master of Education in Educational Administration and Planning at the university.

Mr Kum began his professional career in 1993 during his National Youth Service Corps deployment at the Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he served as Head of the Animal Production Unit.

Between 1995 and 1998, he worked at Baptist High School, Jos, where he served in various capacities, including Form Master, Labour Master, classroom teacher and Health Master.

He received the Light and Life Staff Merit Award in 1998.

He joined WAEC on 17 July 1998 as Assistant Registrar II and rose through the ranks to become Senior Deputy Registrar in 2024.

His roles at WAEC have included Head of Examinations Security in Awka, Yola and Makurdi; Branch Controller in Gusau and Kano; Head of the Security Printing Department; Zonal Coordinator in Port Harcourt and Ikeja; Director of Administration; and Senior Deputy Registrar/Test Administration.

Before his latest appointment, he served in the office of the Head of the Nigeria National Office.

WAEC described Mr Kum as an experienced test developer and administrator with expertise in examination security, test administration and branch and zonal office management.

The council said he led several administrative and technological initiatives, including enhanced security features in its printing operations, the introduction of facial-recognition biometric attendance systems and the delivery of achievement tests through computer-based examinations.

By Qosim Suleiman, Premium Times

CNN’s Christiane Amanpour mislabels Uganda as Nigeria and fails to correct it

 

CNN’s Christiane Amanpour wrongfully identified Nigeria as the country where Edward Kijanangoma was crowned King of the Tooro Kingdom.

The coronation took place in Uganda, where the Tooro Kingdom is located.

The journalist made this incorrect claim on X in a post accompanied by a recording of her reporting on the event.

“The TV anchor who would be king. In Nigeria this week, a new king was coronated with pomp and circumstance — but his resume is what’s really standing out,” the post read.

Many of her followers, including Nigerians and Ugandans, have since pointed out this error in the comments.

However, five hours after the post was published, Ms Amanpour has yet to correct the error.

The new traditional ruler, also a famous journalist in Uganda, was crowned last Tuesday in Fort Portal, a remote town in Western Uganda. His coronation ceremony triggered a succession dispute.

The journalist, who is a prince, was known in the country as a broadcaster and editor with Uganda Broadcasting Corp. His selection to replace the former king, Oyo Rukidi IV, who died at 34 and without an heir, triggered widespread controversy.

Mr Nyabongo wasn’t particularly high in the line of succession, but elders within the kingdom’s ruling clan, known as the Babiito, selected him from a pool of eligible princes.

Traditional leaders don’t wield any formal authority in this East African country and are legally barred from engaging in partisan politics.

However, they wield immense authority among their people as guardians of traditional culture.

At his coronation, the new king pledged to be a unifying figure for all his people.

Ms Amanpour reported that the new king will serve as a symbol of identity and heritage

She stated that he said heritage must be matched by discipline and hard work.

Some followers have attributed her error to the Western assumption that Africa is a country rather than a continent made up of 54 countries.

Others called it a “sloppy blunder.”

By Beloved John, Premium Times