My Heart is Broken, Says Joel-Onowakpo, Mourns 32 NAF Crash Victims

Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, has expressed profound grief over the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash near Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, which claimed the lives of all 32 persons on board.

Joel-Onowakpo, who represents Delta South Senatorial District, described the incident as a “national catastrophe” and said the loss of the 25 passengers and seven crew members had left the nation in deep mourning.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Senator said his heart was broken by the tragedy involving the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, with registration number NGR 931, which was reportedly on a routine flight from Benin City to Lagos when it disappeared from radar shortly after 9:13 a.m. on Monday.

He said the aircraft subsequently crashed into a swampy area near Igbokoda, with no survivors reportedly found.

“As Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, this is a deeply personal wound. These were not just numbers. They were our bravest patriots, gallant officers and men who stood between us and danger, who chose a life of honour and sacrifice,” Joel-Onowakpo said.

The Senator particularly expressed sorrow over the death of the young co-pilot who, according to him, had celebrated his wedding only 16 days before the crash.

“My soul weeps for the young co-pilot who had only just celebrated his wedding 16 days ago, for every mother who will wait in vain, for every child who will never see their father return and for every family whose world has collapsed in a single moment,” he said.

Thomas described the deceased as some of Nigeria’s “finest and bravest,” while extending his condolences to their families, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke.

He also commiserated with officers and personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.

“The nation stands with you in this dark hour. May Almighty God grant the souls of these 32 fallen heroes eternal rest and grant their families, the Armed Forces and our nation the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss,” he said.

Joel-Onowakpo added that the sacrifices of the fallen military personnel “shall never be forgotten.”