President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a three-day national mourning for Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in an aircraft crash in Ondo State.
The President also directed that flags be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the deceased officers.
The directive was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
President Tinubu had earlier expressed sadness over the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The statement further notes that the aircraft, carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed.
It described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and the nation, commending the Nigerian Air Force for activating an immediate search and rescue operation.
President Tinibu also directed the Air Force to commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash, with a view to preventing future occurrences.
The Nigerian Air Force says the names of the deceased personnel will be released after their families have been contacted.