The Nigerian Senate has postponed its planned two-day National Security Summit following the fatal crash of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft in Ondo State.
The summit, initially scheduled for October 12 and 13, 2026, has been deferred indefinitely, with the Senate expected to announce a new date later. (Vanguard News)
The NAF aircraft crashed near Igbokoda in Ondo State on Monday while operating a routine flight from Benin to Lagos. The Nigerian Air Force later confirmed that 25 people were on board, comprising 20 passengers and five crew members, with no survivors. (Reuters)
Senate honours victims
Senate Leader and Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the National Security Summit, Opeyemi Bamidele, said the decision to postpone the summit was taken in view of the national tragedy and the three-day mourning period declared by President Bola Tinubu.
The Senate extended its condolences to the families of the deceased personnel, the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Nigerian Air Force.
President Tinubu had directed the NAF to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash and ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast during the mourning period. (State House)
Summit was designed to address insecurity
The National Security Summit was expected to bring together lawmakers, security agencies and other stakeholders to examine Nigeria’s security challenges and consider measures to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
The Senate had announced that the summit would focus on strengthening security through innovation, collaboration and resilience in response to emerging threats.
The event was also expected to build on zonal public hearings conducted ahead of the national gathering. (Premium Times Nigeria)
Bamidele said the Senate’s ad-hoc committee had completed preparations for the summit before the aircraft crash necessitated its postponement.
Stakeholders who were expected to participate in the event have been asked to bear with the Senate while the country mourns the military personnel who lost their lives.
The Senate said a new date for the National Security Summit would be communicated in due course.
SEO Title: Senate Postpones National Security Summit After NAF Crash
Meta Description: Nigeria’s Senate has postponed its October 12–13 National Security Summit following the fatal NAF aircraft crash in Ondo State.
