The nation was again thrown into mourning with yesterday’s death of Kaduna State Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and ex-National Security Adviser Gen. Patrick Owoye Azazi (rtd) in an helicopter crash.
Their aides Dauda Tsoho and Warrant Officer Mohammed Kamal also died as were the pilot and co-pilot of the ill-fated chopper ‘The Navy Augusta (helo 07),’ Commander Muritala Mohammed Daba and Lt. Adeyemi O. Sowole.
The chopper was on its way to Port Harcourt from Okoroba in Ogbia Local Government area of Bayelsa State when it crashed into one of the many creeks in the largely riverine state.
It burst into flame shortly after take-off before it nose-dived into the the creeks.
The victims were part of the large number of mourners who attended the burial of Pa Obebara Douglas, father of Mr.Oronto Douglas, Special Adviser to the President on Research and Documentation.
A source said the crash might have been caused by “shuttles probably beyond its capacity.
“We are suspecting that the chopper may have become wearied after many shuttles between Okoroba and Yenagoa. We learnt that it had done up to 10 shuttles,” the source said, adding:”The helicopter was carrying VIPs, in batches because of the coastal terrain. The use of the chopper was meant to hasten the movement of the VIPs.
President Goodluck Jonathan expressed shock at the crash.
In a statement last night, Presidential spokesman Dr. Reuben Abati said: “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has expressed utter shock and sadness over the crash Saturday in Bayelsa State of a military helicopter resulting in the death of Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State and former National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Owoye Azazi (rtd), their aides, Dauda Tsoho and Warrant Officer Mohammed Kamal and the pilots, Commander Muritala Mohammed Daba and Lt. Adeyemi O. Sowole.
“The President 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.
“President Jonathan has ordered an investigation into the cause(s) of the crash.”
The Kaduna State Government said: “The death has occurred of His Excellency, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa (CON). He died in a Navy helicopter crash on his way to Port Harcourt from Bayelsa State. Other details and burial arrangements will be announced later. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace, amen.”
The statement was signed by Secretary to State Government (SSG) Lawal Samaila Abdullahi.
The Navy also announced the crash in a statement by its director of Information, Commodore Kabir Aliyu. It said: “A Nigerian Navy Agusta helicopter (helo 07) crashed today Saturday 15 December 2012 at about 3:30pm around Nembe-Okoroba area in Bayelsa State.
“The helicopter was conveying some VIPs to Port Harcourt from Okoroba Village also in Bayelsa State.
“Search and rescue operation is on-going by a combined team of personnel from Joint Task Force (OPS PULO SHIELD), Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, NEMA and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“Further details on the crash will be made available as received.”
A source gave graphic details of how the crash occurred.
The source said: “The helicopter took off normally from Okoroba at about 2pm for Port Harcourt but it later crashed at about 2.30pm in Nembe area of Bayelsa.
“The plane plunged into a forest and burst into flame. None of the VIPs at the burial of Pa Obebara Douglas suspected that anything was wrong with the helicopter because it had been making shuttles to ferry VIPs to Yenagoa and Port Harcourt.
“But following a distress alarm from the control tower in Port Harcourt, when the helicopter was not sighted on the radar, a search and rescue operation was immediately initiated.
“The bodies of the six victims were later retrieved and transferred to a morgue in Yenagoa.”
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said last night that all six passengers aboard the chopper died.
NEMA spokeman, Alhaji Yushau Shuaib, in a statement, said: “NEMA has just confirmed the death of six passengers in a Naval helicopter that crashed in Nembe area of Bayelsa.”
It was however gathered that a former Managing Director of the NDDC, Mr. Timi Alaibe, cheated death by the whiskers as he was scheduled to be on board he helicopter.
Another source said: “When the short listing was done, Alaibe was expected to be part of the batch that crashed. He was directed to join others to board the chopper but he deferred to Governor Yakowa and Gen. Azazi as a matter of protocol.
“Most of the VIPs who saw Alaibe off to the temporary helipad assumed that the former NDDC boss had died in the crash.”
The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), said it has no mandate to investigate military air accidents.
Mr Tunji Oketunbi, spokesman for the AIB, said: “The crashed helicopter is a Naval aircraft. AIB investigates only civil aircraft accidents. You may want to contact the military authorities for further information.”
Governor-Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State is currently hospitalised in Germany following the injuries he sustained in a plane crash in Yola on October 25.
In March, a police chopper crashed in Jos, killing senior police officers including Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Haruna John.
On June 3, a Dana commercial aircraft which took off from Abuja crashed into residential buildings on the outskirt of Lagos. All 153 people on board died.
