Senate Delays National Security Summit to Honor Victims of NAF Plane Crash

The Senate has postponed its two-day National Security Summit, which was set for October 12 and 13, 2026. This decision comes after a tragic plane crash involving the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Igbokoda, Ondo State, which resulted in the deaths of 25 individuals, including five crew members and 20 passengers.

Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader and Chairman of the summit’s organizing committee, announced the postponement on Tuesday. He stated that the decision was made to honor the victims of the crash.

The summit was intended to address ongoing security issues in Nigeria and to find effective solutions to protect lives and property across the country. Bamidele noted that the committee had already completed preparations for the summit after gathering input from the public on security concerns.

However, the crash of the NAF ATR-42 aircraft, which occurred during a routine flight from Benin to Lagos, prompted the Senate to delay the event. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for the victims and ordered that flags be flown at half-mast throughout the country.

Bamidele expressed condolences to President Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and the families of those who lost their lives. He mentioned that a new date for the summit will be announced later and urged stakeholders to understand the gravity of the situation during this mourning period.