The Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Jaji on Monday commemorated 165 students of the college who lost their lives in a plane crash 30 years ago.

The students died on September 26, 1992, when their Nigerian Air Force C-130 plane crashed in Ejigbo, Lagos.

The commemoration witnessed the laying of wreaths, prayers and the release of pigeons.

In his remarks, the college’s commandant, Olurotimi Tuwase, said the college and the nation would not forget the deceased.

“On this day, exactly 30 years ago at about 17:45 hours, the C-130 aircraft with tail number NAF 911 crashed some few minutes after take-off in the swampy area of Ejigbo, some few kilometres from Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos, killing all 165 persons on board,” stated Mr Tuwase.

He added, “The persons on board included seven Directing Staff, 140 students of Senior Course 15 and three support staff of AFCSC returning from a tour of naval formations in Lagos as well as the aircraft crew and few other persons travelling from Lagos to Kaduna.”

Mr Tuwase explained that the loss was not only for their families but also for the armed forces and Nigeria, which lost a generation of middle-level officers.

“It was in service to the nation that these noble officers and men that we remember today left the comforts of their homes and units after being posted to serve in the college as well as being nominated to attend Senior Course 15,” the commandant stressed.

(NAN)