The Senate has postponed its two-day National Security Summit scheduled for October 12 and 13, 2026, following the fatal crash of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje local government area of Ondo State.
The crash, which occurred on Monday, was initially reported to have claimed 25 officers and seven crew members, bringing the reported number of fatalities to 32.
But the NAF authorities yesterday clarified that there were five crew members and 20 passengers.
The Senate said the summit would be deferred until further notice in honour of the victims and in solidarity with their families and the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Senate leader and chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the National Security Summit, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed the decision in a statement he signed yesterday.
The Senate had scheduled the summit to review Nigeria’s persistent security challenges and develop pragmatic solutions to strengthen the protection of lives and property across the country.
According to Bamidele, the ad-hoc committee had completed preparations for the summit after concluding zonal public hearings across the country.
He said the tragic NAF aircraft crash, however, necessitated the postponement of the national gathering.
The decision also followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of three days of national mourning in honour of the 25 officers and seven crew members who died in the crash.
President Tinubu also directed that national flags be flown at half-mast nationwide during the mourning period.
Bamidele said the Senate considered it appropriate to defer the summit as the country mourns the military personnel who lost their lives in active service.
The Senate extended its condolences to President Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Air Force, and the families of the deceased officers and crew members.
The Senate Leader described the victims as gallant personnel who paid the supreme price in service to the nation.
He said the Senate stood with the bereaved families and the Armed Forces during the period of national mourning.
The upper chamber said a new date for the National Security Summit would be communicated in due course.
It appealed to all stakeholders scheduled to participate in the summit to take note of the national tragedy and bear with the Senate during the mourning period.
The summit, when reconvened, is expected to bring together relevant stakeholders to deliberate on Nigeria’s security challenges and consider measures aimed at strengthening national security and improving the protection of lives and property
