John Mahama offers condolences to Nigeria after 32 die in plane crash

President John Dramani Mahama has expressed his deepest condolences to the government and people of Nigeria following a tragic plane crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The accident, which occurred on October 5, 2026, claimed the lives of 32 people when an ATR 42 aircraft went down. In a statement released on October 8, the Ghanaian leader emphasized that his nation shares in Nigeria's grief during this difficult period, offering thoughts and prayers for those affected by the loss.

A formal communication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that Ghana's empathy is rooted in its own recent experiences with similar aviation disasters. President Mahama noted that Ghana understands the profound sorrow of such events, recalling a recent tragedy where six Ghanaian citizens were lost. He extended specific sympathies to the families of the victims, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and the entire Nigerian community, highlighting a shared understanding of the pain stemming from such tragedies.

In a parallel gesture of solidarity, the Ghana Air Force (GHAF) reached out to its counterparts in the Nigerian Air Force to mourn the loss of life. Ghana’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Eric Agyei-Frimpong, sent a formal message of sympathy to Air Marshal Kelvin A. Aneke. He acknowledged the specific grief within the military community, referencing a loss the GHAF suffered last year as a point of shared understanding and mutual support between the two West African air arms.

The messages from both the presidency and the military hierarchy reaffirm the strong diplomatic and security ties between Ghana and Nigeria. By acknowledging the shared risks and tragedies faced by their respective aviation sectors and armed forces, the Ghanaian authorities have signaled a commitment to regional solidarity. The Ghanaian government concluded its official communications by wishing for the eternal rest of the departed souls and strength for the bereaved families as they navigate the aftermath of the crash.