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Generals die in Nigeria air crash Nigeria mourns for crash generals
(about 2 hours later)
Ten of Nigeria's most senior army commanders have died when their military plane crashed near the south-eastern town of Obudu. Three days of mourning have been declared in Nigeria for 10 of the most senior army commanders who died when their military plane crashed.
Those killed include eight major generals and two brigadier generals, the authorities said. Those killed near the south-eastern town of Obudu include eight major generals and two brigadier generals, the authorities said.
President Olusegun Obasanjo called the crash a "monumental tragedy" and is flying home early from the World Bank conference in Singapore. President Olusegun Obasanjo called the crash a "monumental tragedy" and is flying home early from Singapore.
Two other officers also died, while at least four survived, the military says.Two other officers also died, while at least four survived, the military says.
There were 18 people on board the Dornier 228 aircraft when it crashed into a hill 18 nautical miles from Obudu after flying from the capital, Abuja.There were 18 people on board the Dornier 228 aircraft when it crashed into a hill 18 nautical miles from Obudu after flying from the capital, Abuja.
'Big loss'
The private meeting had been ordered by the new chief of army staff to discuss the challenges facing the military.The private meeting had been ordered by the new chief of army staff to discuss the challenges facing the military.
It is thought the restructuring of the task force in the volatile, oil-rich Niger Delta would be one of the key issues for discussion, the other being the army's role in maintaining stability in the run-up to next year's elections. The BBC's Alex Last in Nigeria says it is thought the restructuring of the task force in the volatile, oil-rich Niger Delta would be one of the key issues for discussion; the other being the army's role in maintaining stability in the run-up to next year's elections.
Captain Emeka Ozomena told the BBC it was too early to speculate on the causes of the crash. A spokesman at the Nigerian defence headquarters, Brigadier General Felix Chukwuma, told the BBC the crash would affect the whole defence establishment:
President Obasanjo has ordered an investigation and ordered three days of national mourning. "They are the top echelon in the army headquarters... It is a big loss, irreparable, but the army shall still wade on."
Captain Emeka Ozomena told the BBC it was too early to speculate on the causes of the crash. President Obasanjo has ordered an investigation.
More than 200 people died in two air disasters last year, leading many to question the safety of Nigerian planes.More than 200 people died in two air disasters last year, leading many to question the safety of Nigerian planes.
After the disasters, several airlines were grounded while safety checks were carried out.After the disasters, several airlines were grounded while safety checks were carried out.