Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State and former
National Security Adviser Andrew Owoye Azazi
apparently died in a helicopter that crashed today
in Bayelsa State, a reliable source has told
SaharaReporters.
Governor Yakowa and Mr. Azazi, a retired military
general who served as chief security adviser to
President Goodluck Jonathan, were among passengers
in the ill-fated helicopter.
Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Authority
(NEMA) had earlier indicated that the agency had
activated a search for a crashed helicopter.
Our sources had earlier disclosed that the crashed
chopper was carrying “some major political figures.”
As at the time of going to press, Saharareporters
was unable to confirm the identity of any other
passengers in the ill-fated chopper.
Governor Yakowa and Mr. Azazi were among many
political figures who reportedly attended the
burial of the father of senior presidential aide
Oronto Douglas. The funeral event took place in
the Nembe area of Bayelsa State earlier today.
SaharaReporters learnt that the crashed helicopter
was one of several helicopters that some well-
connected people to the funeral.
The crash comes on the heels of a plane crash on
October 25, 2012 that has left Governor Danbaba
Suntai of Taraba State brain-damaged. Mr. Suntai
was moved to a hospital in Germany where he
remains in poor shape, unable to recognize his
visitors or to speak.