The United States and Turkey have joined Nigeria in their grief after the names of the 25 victims of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) plane crash in Ondo on Monday were made public, and the Air Force announced that no survivors were recovered.
On Monday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered flags to be flown at half-mast across the nation in remembrance of the deceased and announced a three-day national mourning for the deaths.
The family, friends, and coworkers of the deceased received condolences from the United States Mission in Nigeria, the Republic of Turkey, and the Displaced Children Foundation
They coneveyed their condolences in a post shared on its official X account yesterday, joining the growing tributes to the victims of the crash.
“The U.S. Mission in Nigeria sends our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of those lost in yesterday’s Nigerian Air Force crash,” the mission said.
It added that the condolences were in line with the longstanding security relationship between Nigeria and the United States.
“We stand with the people of Nigeria and remain committed to our strong security partnership,” the mission said.
Similarly, the Republic of Türkiye expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives in the military aircraft crash.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued yesterday by the Turkish Embassy in Abuja, extended condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Nigeria.
In the statement titled “Regarding the Military Aircraft Crash in Nigeria,” the ministry said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives resulting from the crash of a military aircraft in Ondo State of Nigeria. We extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident, and to the people of Nigeria.”
The ministry conveyed Türkiye’s sympathy to the affected families and the Nigerian people following the incident.
The Displaced Children Foundation Canada expressed its condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the victims.
In a statement issued in Calgary, Alberta, yesterday, the Canadian charitable organisation said it was extending its “deepest, most heartfelt condolences” to the families, friends and colleagues of the 25 passengers and crew members who lost their lives in the NAF ATR-42 aircraft crash.
The foundation, which focuses on humanitarian efforts and supporting vulnerable children and families affected by conflict in Nigeria, said the tragedy was felt deeply across its global community.
It expressed solidarity with the Nigerian Air Force leadership, the armed forces and the country during the three-day period of national mourning.
“Our thoughts and fervent prayers are with the grieving families who are facing unimaginable pain today,” the founders of the foundation, Joseph and Karen Ogezi, said.
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“We pray that they find comfort, strength, and fortitude in the days ahead, and we offer our highest assurances of our continued prayers and support.”
The Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy also commiserated with the Nigerian Air Force and families of the victims.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, in a condolence message on behalf of officers, soldiers and civilian staff of the Nigerian Army, expressed solidarity with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the entire Nigerian Air Force family.
Shaibu said the Army shared in the grief of the Air Force following the tragic loss of its personnel in the accident.
The COAS prayed for strength and comfort for the families of the deceased, adding that the Nigerian Army stood in solidarity with the NAF at this difficult moment.
Also, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, on behalf of officers, ratings and civilian staff of the Nigerian Navy, commiserated with Aneke and the entire NAF family.
The naval chief expressed condolences over the loss of the personnel and prayed for strength for the bereaved families.
The Navy said it stood in solidarity with the Nigerian Air Force and prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed servicemen.
