Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has commiserated with President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the families of the 25 people who died in the military aircraft crash in Ondo State.

Diri, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, also expressed condolences to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the entire Nigerian Air Force over the tragedy.

The Nigerian Air Force confirmed on Tuesday that all 25 people aboard the ATR-42 aircraft died in the crash near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The victims comprised five crew members and 20 passengers, according to the NAF, which said no survivor had been found following search and rescue operations.

Diri described the incident as a painful loss to the military and the nation, expressing solidarity with the families of the deceased and the Nigerian Air Force.

He said the loss of military personnel who had dedicated themselves to the service and security of the country was deeply distressing.

The governor prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and asked God to grant their families, colleagues and loved ones the strength to bear the loss.

He also extended his condolences to the Federal Government and the Armed Forces of Nigeria, describing the crash as a tragedy that had left the country in mourning.

The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos when the accident occurred on Monday.

Following the crash, President Bola Tinubu directed the Nigerian Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation to establish the cause of the accident and prevent a recurrence.

The Defence Headquarters has also ordered an investigation, while search and recovery operations continued at the crash site in coordination with other security and emergency agencies.