The Senate has suspended its planned National Security Summit scheduled for October 12 and 13, following the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, which claimed the lives of 25 people.
The Senate Leader and Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the National Security Summit, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, announced the postponement in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.
Bamidele said the decision was taken in honour of the victims 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 stated.
According to him, the decision followed the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday.
“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,” Bamidele said.
The summit was convened by the Senate to bring together key stakeholders to examine Nigeria’s persistent security challenges and develop practical measures to strengthen the protection of lives and property across the country.
The Senate ad hoc committee had already concluded preparations for the event following the completion of zonal public hearings held ahead of the national summit.
However, the air crash and the subsequent declaration of national mourning prompted the Senate to defer the meeting.
President Tinubu had declared three days of national mourning for those who died in the crash and directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country.
The President also ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash and its cause.
Bamidele said the Senate considered it inappropriate to proceed with the summit during the mourning period, describing the postponement as a mark of respect for the military personnel who died in active service.
The Senate also expressed condolences to the President, the Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Air Force, and the families of the deceased personnel.
“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 added.
The Senate Leader said a new date for the security summit would be announced in due course.
He urged participants and other stakeholders who had been expected to attend the summit to bear with the Senate during the period of national mourning.
“Take note of the national disaster and bear with the Senate during this period of national mourning,” Bamidele appealed.
