The Senate has deferred its planned National Security Summit following the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State that claimed the lives of 25 officers and seven crew members.
The two-day summit, which was scheduled for October 12 and 13, has been postponed indefinitely as the country observes the three-day national mourning declared by President Bola Tinubu for the victims.
The Senate Leader and Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the National Security Summit, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, announced the decision in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.
Bamidele said, “The Senate has announced the postponement of its two-day National Security Summit scheduled for Monday, 12th and Tuesday, 13th October, 2026, until further notice.
The upper chamber postponed the summit consequent upon the tragic crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State, which claimed the lives of 25 officers and seven crew members on Monday.”
The summit was convened to bring together major stakeholders to deliberate on Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges and formulate practical strategies for improving the protection of lives and property.
Preparations for the national gathering had been completed by the ad hoc committee after zonal public hearings were conducted across the country.
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However, the fatal crash in Igbokoda led the Senate to suspend the event in solidarity with the nation’s mourning.
The incident has triggered widespread grief and renewed demands for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
President Tinubu subsequently declared three days of national mourning for the deceased military personnel and directed that national flags be flown at half-mast nationwide. He also ordered a thorough investigation to establish the cause of the crash.
Explaining the decision to postpone the summit, Bamidele said the Senate deemed it necessary to respect the period of mourning and honour the military personnel who lost their lives while serving the country.
“The Senate also extended its heartfelt condolences to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Air Force; and the families of the gallant officers and crew members who paid the supreme price in active service to the fatherland,” the statement said.
The Senate Leader said a fresh date for the summit would be communicated in due course.
He also urged participants and other stakeholders scheduled to attend the summit to “take note of the national disaster and bear with the Senate during this period of national mourning.”