Nigerian governor killed in helicopter crash

LAGOS - 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.