A member of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, Tolu Bankole, on Tuesday commended President Bola Tinubu for ordering an immediate investigation into the cause of the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State.

Bankole, who is also the APC National Leader for Persons with Disabilities and Secretary of the Subcommittee of the APC National Campaign Council for Osun, described the President’s directive as timely and necessary to prevent a recurrence of the tragedy.

He made the commendation in a statement issued in Abuja following Monday’s crash of an NAF ATR-42 aircraft near Igbokoda in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The crash claimed the lives of 32 people comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members.

He said, “Mr. President’s directive that the Nigerian Air Force should immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences is apt, timely and demonstrates responsive leadership.

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“I commend Mr. President for his prompt and compassionate response, for declaring a three-day national mourning and directing that flags be flown at half-mast in honour of our fallen heroes.”

Tinubu had earlier directed the NAF to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.


The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday titled, ‘President Tinubu mourns NAF personnel in Ondo jet crash, orders thorough investigation of the mishap.’

Continuing, Bankole described the incident as a “heartbreaking loss” to the Nigerian Air Force, the Armed Forces and the country, saying the deceased personnel had made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

He said, “This is a heartbreaking loss to the Nigerian Air Force, the Armed Forces and our nation at large. These officers were patriots who daily put their lives on the line to secure the territorial integrity of our country. Their sacrifice and dedicated service to the nation will never be forgotten.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, and most importantly, to the families of our fallen heroes who have paid the supreme price in the course of national duty.”

The APC chieftain also commended the swift response of first responders and the Ondo State Government at the crash site.

Bankole prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and urged Nigerians to stand in solidarity with the Armed Forces during the period of mourning.

He said, “May Almighty God grant the souls of our gallant officers eternal rest and grant their families, the Nigerian Air Force and the entire nation the fortitude to bear this painful and irreparable loss.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has paid tribute to the officers who lost their lives in Monday’s Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State, saying their supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation will never be forgotten.

Shettima assured the bereaved families that the Federal Government’s responsibility to them would not end with words of condolence, noting that a nation that asks its citizens to serve must also remember those who pay the ultimate price in that service.

In a statement on Tuesday morning, the Vice President conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased, as well as the officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, describing the tragedy as a painful national loss.

“Thirty-two of our compatriots left on a routine mission in the service of their country. They were colleagues, friends and comrades. But beyond the uniforms they wore and the ranks they held, they were husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters.

“Somewhere today, there is an empty chair. Somewhere, a family is still trying to comprehend the sudden silence left by someone who was expected to return home. These are the human faces of the supreme sacrifice we speak about as a nation,” he said.

Shettima reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s directives following the tragedy, noting that the President had declared three days of national mourning and directed that flags be flown at half-mast in honour of the deceased.

He also acknowledged the President’s directive for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, saying the nation mourns with the families as they await answers.

According to the Vice President, the ultimate sacrifice made by the deceased imposes an enduring obligation on the nation to remember both their service and the loved ones they left behind.

“We cannot ask the bereaved to be strong today. Grief does not obey instructions. We can only assure them that Nigeria remembers, Nigeria mourns with them, and Nigeria will stand beside them beyond these days of mourning,” VP Shettima said.

He also extended his solidarity to officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, noting that the tragedy had taken from the Service members of a professional family bound together by duty and sacrifice.

“To the men and women of the Nigerian Air Force, we know that this loss is yours in a particularly personal way. Your fallen colleagues have paid the supreme price. A grateful nation honours their courage, their service and the families who shared them with Nigeria,” he stated.

The Vice President prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and for comfort and strength for their families, colleagues and loved ones.

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has withdrawn the operating licences of six Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators following concerns over their inability to deliver waste collection services within their respective service areas.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, made this known on Tuesday during a management briefing at the Authority’s head office in Ijora-Olopa.

He said that the action was part of the Authority’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the PSP waste collection system and ensure that operators entrusted with service delivery have the capacity to meet the waste management needs of their assigned communities.

His words: “Our responsibility is to ensure that every operator serving Lagos residents has the capacity to deliver reliable and efficient waste collection services. Where an operator is unable to meet the required capacity, we will take the necessary regulatory action to protect service delivery and the interests of residents.”

He stated that the affected operators and their respective service locations were K-HS Integrated Services (formerly Gboleybos Nigeria Limited) in Igbogbo-Baiyeku, Deshasat Enterprises in Olorunda, Bailas Nigeria Company in Ojo, Guestimate Environmental Protection Company in Orile Agege, Evabol Ventures in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, and Korad Closet Empire Limited in Ojodu.

According to the LAWMA boss, the affected service locations included Ward C1, Slot A, Abosan in Igbogbo-Baiyeku, Ibereko (LIMCA) in Olorunda, Sabo Oniba in Ojo, Papa Ashafa II in Orile Agege, Oluwa 1 in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, and Oke-Ira/Powerline in Ojodu.

Gbadegesin said that the action followed concerns relating to the operators’ service capacity, with K-HS Integrated Services voluntarily withdrawing from its service area while the other five operators were terminated.

He reiterated that the action formed part of LAWMA’s broader efforts to reposition the PSP waste collection system through stronger performance standards, improved service coverage, accountability and effective regulatory oversight.

He assured residents that measures would be taken to ensure continuity of waste collection services in the affected areas and urged residents to continue to use approved waste management channels.