The Senate has postponed its two-day National Security Summit scheduled for October 12 and 13, 2026, following the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The postponement was announced on Tuesday by the Senate Leader and Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the National Security Summit, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.
Bamidele said the decision was taken in honour of the victims of the crash and in line with the three-day national mourning declared by President Bola Tinubu.
“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,” he said.
“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 Senate had planned the summit to bring together key stakeholders to assess Nigeria’s persistent security challenges and develop practical measures to strengthen the protection of lives and property across the country.
The ad hoc committee had also completed preparations for the event after the conclusion of zonal public hearings held ahead of the national summit.
However, the crash on Monday led to the suspension of the planned gathering as the country entered a period of national mourning.
The incident prompted President Tinubu to declare three days of national mourning for the deceased military personnel and direct that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country.
The President also ordered a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
Bamidele said the Senate considered it appropriate to defer the summit during the mourning period as a mark of respect for the military personnel who died in active service.
The Senate Leader extended condolences to President Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Air Force, and the families of the deceased officers and crew members.
“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.
Bamidele said a new date for the National Security Summit would be announced later.
He appealed to participants and other stakeholders invited to the summit to take note of the tragedy and bear with the Senate during the period of national mourning.
