Saturday, December 15, 2012

Nigerian Governor Killed in Helicopter Crash

Nigerian governor killed in helicopter crash: official

English.news.cn
2012-12-16 06:02:09

• Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa died a helicopter crash in southeast Bayelsa State.

• The former national security adviser, General Andrew Azazi, also died in the crash.

• The helicopter was carrying top government officials to Port Harcourt before it crashed in Nembe.

LAGOS, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The central north Nigeria's Kaduna State government on Saturday announced the death of the state governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, who died a helicopter crash in southeast Bayelsa State.

A statement signed by the secretary to the state government Lawal Samaila Abdulahi, said the governor died in a navy helicopter on his way Port Harcourt from Bayelsa State.

Nigeria's ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) said in a statement that governor Yakowa, died in the helicopter crash in Bayelsa state. The statement also said the former national security adviser, General Andrew Azazi, also died in the crash.

Meanwhile, the country's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said bodies was recovered from the Naval helicopter that crashed Saturday afternoon in southeast Nigeria's Bayelsa State.

National spokesperson for the rescue agency Yushua Shuaib disclosed this to Xinhua in a statement, saying that the bodies have been deposited in the mortuary.

"The operation which involved collaborations of response agencies and volunteers led to the recovery of the bodies of the six passengers on-board the the helicopter," he added.

"While the bodies have been deposited in the mortuary, further details on the victims will soon be announced after their families have been formally informed," the rescue agency spokesperson said.

A Xinhua reporter in the state said the helicopter was carrying top government officials to Port Harcourt before it crashed in Nembe, area of Bayelsa State.


Nigerian president orders probe into helicopter's crash

English.news.cn
2012-12-16 06:02:52

LAGOS, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday night ordered an immediate investigation into the causes of the Navy helicopter which led to the death of Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna and the immediate past National Security Adviser, Lt Gen Andrew Owoye Azazi (rtd).

A statement reaching Xinhua from his office which announced the president's directive, said the president was utter shock over the Saturday crash which occurred in Bayelsa State.

Others involved in the ill fated military helicopter crash includes their aides, Dauda Tsoho and Warrant Officer Mohammed Kamal and the pilots, Commander Muritala Mohammed Daba and Lt. Adeyemi O. Sowole.

The president according to the statement also extends deep and heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased, and the governments and people of Kaduna and Bayelsa States.

He describes the sudden loss of these distinguished Nigerians as extremely painful to the entire nation.

The crash victims were heading to Port Harcourt after attending the burial ceremony of the father of an aide to President Goodluck Jonathan, Oronto Douglas, at Okoroba.

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