By Anayo Akwitti
The Senate has indefinitely postponed its National Security Summit scheduled for October 12 and 13, 2026, following the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State.
Senate Leader and Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the summit, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, announced the postponement in a statement on Tuesday.
The NAF ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday, killing 25 officers and seven crew members.
Bamidele said the Senate postponed the summit to honour the fallen military personnel and respect the three-day national mourning declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
President Tinubu also directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the deceased officers and crew members.
The Senate had planned the summit to review Nigeria’s persistent security challenges and develop practical measures to protect lives and property.
According to Bamidele, the ad-hoc committee had completed preparations for the summit after concluding its zonal public hearings.
He said the aircraft crash and the subsequent declaration of national mourning made it necessary to defer the summit until further notice.
The Senate expressed condolences to President Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Air Force, and the families of the deceased personnel.
Bamidele described the officers and crew members as gallant personnel who paid the supreme price in active service to the nation.
He appealed to stakeholders invited to the summit to bear with the Senate during the period of national mourning.
The Senate said it would announce a new date for the National Security Summit in due course.
