Service Chiefs, IG visit family of late Azazi

A Helicopter crashed on Saturday in Bayelsa State killing all persons on board.

The Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, on Wednesday paid a condolence visit to the family of late National Security Adviser, Owoye Azazi, in Lagos.

Mr. Azazi died when a Nigeria Navy helicopter crashed on Saturday at Okoroba Village, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa. Other victims of the crash were the governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa, and four others on board.

The Service Chiefs, led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Ola Ibrahim, included the Chief of Army Staff, Azubuike Ihiejirika; Chief of Naval Staff, Dele Ezeoba; and the Chief of Air Staff, Kas Gbadi.

They were received by the wife of late Mr. Azazi, children and family members at their Ikoyi residence in Lagos.

No members of the family made any comment during the visit.

Speaking to journalists after signing the condolence register, Mr. Ibrahim described the late Mr. Azazi as a brilliant soldier, whose wealth of experience would be greatly missed.

“We will miss him a lot. We will miss his counsel. He was so simple. He presided over the National Security of this country at a time, when we are most challenged and he did his best,’’ he said.

Mr. Ibrahim said Nigerian authorities are currently investigating the crash to unravel the misery behind it.

“Accident could happen anywhere, any time. The pilots were some of the best in the military air fleet. The Helicopter was regularly maintained as requested by the manufacturer. We don’t take things for granted in the military.

“We maintained all our pieces of armed hardware regularly because we will always need to use them,’’ Mr. Ibrahim explained.

Some Nigerians have questioned the rationale behind using a military helicopter for something as trivial as the burial ceremony of a father to a presidential aide. Military authorities are yet to comment on that.

NAN