by Hauwa Gambo

As we initially reported yesterday based on reports from the scene, it appears confirmed that the helicopter that crashed yesterday and killed five people including the Kaduna governor, Patrick Yakowa, who made history as the first post-1999 Christian governor of Kaduna, and former security chief, Andrew Owoye Azazi.

The helicopter, which was leaving the Okoroba venue of the burial of presidential aide Oronto Douglas’ father before it crashed in the nearby Ogbia, burst into flames and then plunged into the creeks.

READ: On the way from Oronto Douglas’ event: Gen Azazi, Gov Yakowa feared dead in helicopter explosion

READ: Tsoho, Daba (who leaves behind a one-year-old daughter), Sowole: Presidency issues full list of crash victims

READ: Press Statement: Pres. Jonathan orders investigation into crash that killed Azazi, Yakowa

The chopper belonged to the Nigerian Navy and carried many of the VIP guests to and from the venue. The trip was said to be its late, but,  at about 2.30 p.m., only minutes after takeoff, the chopper crashed.

Yakowa is the second governor to be victim of a crash this year. The Taraba governor is still critically ill in hospital in Germany following the crash of his plane last month.