NEWS: YAKOWA AND AZAZI DEAD!

Information reaching KontriMan Journal has it that a military helicopter crashed between 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm on Saturday 15 December, 2012 in a swampy location in the northern part of the Okoroba community forest in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The crash occurred following a burial event at the home of an aide to the Nigerian President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, in Okoroba, Bayelsa State.

News reports confirms that the military helicopter was conveying the Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa and former National Security Adviser, General Owoeye Azazi  (Retired) from the funeral of the father of the Special Adviser to the President, Douglas Oronto, back to Port Harcourt. The helicopter busted into flames as it crashed.

Information from the local residents indicated that shortly after the helicopter took off, it appeared to have developed what seemed like a mechanical problem. Then the helicopter plunged into the creek where it exploded upon impact.

The occupants of the helicopter was gathered to have comprised of the former National Security Advisor, Azazi, the Governor of Kaduna State, Yakowa, the Pilot of the Naval Helicopter, his co-pilot, and two security aides to the late Governor, Dauda Tsoho and Warrant Officer Mohammed Kamal and the pilots, Commander Muritala Mohammed Daba  and Lt. Adeyemi  O. Sowole.

Their remains have been taken to Yenegoa, the capital of Bayelsa State.
In Kaduna, the news of the Governor’s demise had spread in the metropolis at about 7.30pm as several people were seen along major roads and streets in groups discussing the unfortunate incident. The last public engagement of Late Yakowa was when he presented the 2013 budget before the state house of assembly.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has expressed shock and sadness over the crash of the military helicopter which resulted in the death of Yakowa and Azazi, and their aides.

In a statement by Reuben Abati, Special Adviser Media & Publicity to the President, Jonathan extended his deep  and heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased, and the governments and people of Kaduna and Bayelsa States.

He described the sudden loss of these distinguished Nigerians as extremely painful to the entire nation; and has ordered a probe into the causes of the crash.

The news of the crash comes close to two months after the plane crash on October 25, 2012, which has left Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State brain-damaged. The Governor was moved to a hospital in Germany where he remains in poor shape, unable to recognize his visitors or talk.