The Senate has postponed its two-day National Security Summit, earlier scheduled for October 12 and 13, 2026, following the fatal crash of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The crash, which occurred on Monday, claimed the lives of 25 officers and seven crew members of the Nigerian Air Force.
The Leader of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the National Security Summit, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, announced the postponement in a statement personally signed and issued on Tuesday.
Bamidele explained that the decision was taken to honour the victims of the crash and in view of the three-day national mourning declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
President Tinubu had directed that national flags be flown at half-mast nationwide in honour of the deceased officers and crew members.
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The Senate had convened the summit to examine Nigeria’s persistent security challenges and develop pragmatic solutions aimed at protecting lives and property across the country.
According to Bamidele, the ad-hoc committee had concluded preparations for the summit following the completion of zonal public hearings across the country.
However, the fatal NAF aircraft crash necessitated the decision to defer the summit until further notice.
“Given the declaration of national mourning by the President, the Senate has resolved that the National Security Summit be deferred until further notice in honour of the victims of the crash,” Bamidele stated.
The Senate expressed condolences to President Tinubu, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Air Force, and the families of the officers and crew members who lost their lives in active service to the nation.
It described the deceased personnel as gallant officers and crew members who paid the supreme price in service to the fatherland.
Bamidele disclosed that a new date for the National Security Summit would be announced in due course.
He appealed to all stakeholders to take note of the national tragedy and bear with the Senate during the period of mourning.
The postponed summit is expected to bring together key stakeholders to deliberate on Nigeria’s security challenges and consider practical measures for strengthening national security and safeguarding citizens across the federation.
