Helicopter Crashes In Bayelsa State

Tragedy has struck again, this time in Bayelsa state where a helicopter belonging to the Nigerian Navy is reported to have crashed.

Among other passengers on board the chopper who have been confirmed dead are the governor of Kaduna state, Patrick Yakowa, and the former National Security Adviser; Andrew Azazi, whose last public appearance before today was at the Christopher Kolade annual lecture in Lagos on Thursday.

Our correspondent in the state reports that the crash occurred in a swampy location near Okoroba community in Nembe local government area of the state.

It was gathered that the chopper was headed to Port Harcourt after attending the burial ceremony of the father of President Jonathan’s aide, Mr. Oronto Douglas.

A statement by the Nigerian Navy confirming the incident and signed by the Director of Information; Commodre Kabiru Aliyu, says that the crash of the Augusta Helicopter (Helo 07) occurred at about 3.30 pm.

It adds that search and rescue operation are ongoing by a combined team of personnel from the Joint Task Force, the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, NEMA and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

This crash comes on the heels of a plane crash on October 25, 2012 involving the governor of Taraba state, Danbaba Suntai who is currently receiving treatment in a hospital in Germany.

Source - Channels