5:T714,

President Goodluck Jonathan minutes ago confirmed the names of passengers of the ill-fated military aircraft that crashed in his home state, Bayelsa, late this afternoon, killing all six persons on board.

While the names of Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State and immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Andrew Owoye Azazi (retd.) were confirmed by the Nigerian leader, it happened that incumbent NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) and disgraced former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, were not on the flight – contrary to speculations.

A Presidency statement 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.”

News Express reports that the helicopter, which crashed around 4:30 p.m. in the Nembe area of Bayelsa, was conveying political heavyweights who attended the burial of Pa Douglas Obebara, the father of Oronto Douglas, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Research, Documentation and Strategy.

•Photo: President Jonathan.

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