By OKON OKON

The Federal Government has declared a three-day period of national mourning in honour of personnel of the Nigerian Air Force who lost their lives in a military aircraft crash in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mr Olumuyiwa Enitan, expressed deep condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased personnel.

Mrs Eno Olotu, Director, Press and Public Relations, Office of the HCSF, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the statement, the national mourning will commence on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in recognition of the fallen personnel’s service and supreme sacrifice to the nation.

Enitan described the declaration as an opportunity for the nation to collectively mourn the deceased, honour their memory and demonstrate solidarity with their bereaved families, colleagues and the Nigerian Armed Forces.

He called on Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Offices and all Federal Civil Servants to observe the period with the dignity, solemnity and respect befitting the occasion.

He said that Federal Government offices and institutions were expected to fly the national flag and other appropriate official flags at half-mast throughout the mourning period, in line with established protocol.

The HCSF added that non-essential ceremonial, celebratory and social activities might be suspended or postponed in deference to the solemnity of the occasion.

He further emphasised that essential government business and official engagements would continue as necessary but should be conducted with due regard to the solemn nature of the national mourning.

He also directed that official communications, publicity materials and media engagements during the period should reflect the mood of the nation and appropriately acknowledge the service and sacrifice of the fallen personnel.

Enitan urged all civil servants to conduct themselves with dignity, restraint and decorum throughout the mourning period while standing in solidarity with the bereaved families and the Nigerian Armed Forces.

He said the Federal Civil Service joined the entire nation in mourning the fallen Air Force personnel and paying tribute to their courage, dedication and supreme sacrifice in the service and defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. (NAN)