The Senate has deferred its planned National Security Summit scheduled for October 12 and 13 following the fatal crash involving a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Ondo State.

The Senate Leader and Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee on the National Security Summit, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, announced the postponement in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said the decision was taken as a mark of respect for the 25 military officers and seven crew members who died in the crash and in compliance with the three-day national mourning declared by President Bola Tinubu.

Bamidele said the summit, which was scheduled to hold on Monday, October 12, and Tuesday, October 13, 2026, had been postponed indefinitely, with a new date to be announced later.

The tragedy occurred on Monday when a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The planned summit was expected to bring together security experts, government officials and other stakeholders to examine the country’s security challenges and develop practical strategies to strengthen the protection of lives and property.

According to the Senate Leader, the ad hoc committee had already concluded preparations for the summit following the completion of zonal public hearings held ahead of the national gathering.

However, the aircraft crash prompted the upper chamber to suspend the event in solidarity with the bereaved families and the Nigerian Armed Forces.

President Tinubu subsequently declared three days of national mourning for the deceased officers and crew members and directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country.

The President also ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Bamidele said the Senate deemed it appropriate to defer the summit during the mourning period in honour of the military personnel who lost their lives while serving the country.

He expressed condolences to President Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Air Force, as well as the families of the deceased.

The Senate Leader urged participants and other stakeholders who were expected at the summit to bear with the legislature, describing the crash as a national tragedy.

He said the Senate would communicate a new date for the summit in due course.