Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has called for a thorough investigation into the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft crash in Ondo State, which claimed lives on Monday.
The Sultan said the probe was necessary to establish the cause of the crash and prevent a recurrence, describing the incident as a “deeply unfortunate national tragedy.”
The aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members when the crash occurred.
In a statement signed by Bashir Adefaka on behalf of the Sultan’s Media Team, the Sultan said the loss of NAF personnel and civilians was particularly painful at a time when the country needed all its human and military resources to confront its numerous challenges.
“Incidents such as this national disaster must be profoundly investigated with a view to knowing the cause so as to avert a repeat of it in the future,” he said.
The Sultan, a retired Nigerian Army General, stressed the need to learn from the tragedy and take all necessary measures to strengthen the safety of personnel and assets deployed in the service of the nation.
He described the crash as a national disaster involving officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, as well as civilians, and prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives.
He extended his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed that Almighty Allah would grant them the strength and fortitude to bear the loss.
The Sultan also commiserated with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the entire leadership, officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force over the incident.
He further prayed for Nigeria to have the wisdom and capacity to prevent similar tragedies and continue protecting personnel serving the nation.
