The Presidency has ordered an investigation after a helicopter, Augusta AW139, conveying Vice-President Prof Yemi Osinbajo crash-landed in Kogi State on Saturday.
The incident occurred in Kabba, where the VP had visited in continuation of his engagement of Nigerians on the ‘Next Level’ re-election plan of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Osinbajo’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande, disclosed that an investigation would be immediately set in motion.
Responding to a specific question on whether the incident would be investigated, he said, “We will follow all the necessary due diligence; that will be certainly done. That is the protocol and it is the order of things to happen.”
Asked further to speak on the condition of Osinbajo and other occupants of the ill-fated chopper, Akande said, “He is completely safe. He is actually at a road stop here in Kabba and he is addressing a mammoth crowd. He is safe and everybody is fine. Everybody got out of the chopper safely after that incident.
“The VP has since gone on to address people on the way. This is his second stop in Kabba right now.”
An eyewitness told one of our correspondents that the helicopter managed to land at about 2.22pm at stadium in the town before its propeller suddenly pulled off.
Although the remote cause of the accident was not known as of the time of filing this report, it was learnt that the pilot of the helicopter might have found it difficult to land due to the dusty terrain of the stadium.
Immediately the incident happened, the Vice-President was said to have been immediately evacuated from the scene of the incident into a waiting vehicle and was thereafter driven in convoy with other political office holders to the palace of Obaro of Kabba on a courtesy call.
Akande also issued a formal statement confirming the accident and the safety of Osinbajo.
The statement reads in part, “Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, arrived in Kabba, Kogi State today. His chopper had crash-landed after a landing incident, but everyone is safe.
“Prof Osinbajo is now in Kabba after the incident and continuing his engagements in the state, engaging the people on the ‘Next Level’ plan of the Buhari administration.”
Meanwhile, Osinbajo has expressed gratitude to God for saving him and the lives of all those aboard the chopper.
Speaking in Kabba, he said, “We are extremely grateful to the Lord for preserving our lives from the incident that just happened. Everyone is safe and no one is maimed. God has kept us safe and alive, delivered us from death so we can do more for our people and country.”
A statement by Akande said Osinbajo spoke at the palace of the Obaro of Kabba.
A statement by Caverton Helicopters signed by its Managing Director/Accountable Manager, Capt. Josiah Choms, said, “The relevant authorities have been duly informed and an investigation into the incident has commenced.
“We will, of course, support the authorities as required. We wish to reassure the public and our various stakeholders of our unwavering commitment to safety in all of our operations.”
VP’s Plane Accident
This is a marvelous miracle, one in a million. Thank God for averting the disaster.
I believe that God is sending a strong message to all who are standing on the way of the success of this country. He is telling them that He alone is the Almighty and must be feared.
VP Isibanjo is being reminded of the biblical injunction ‘not to be unequally yoked with unbeliers. He is not just unequally yoked, but he is indeed serving unbelievers and offering himself to be used against God’s own people by the same unbelievers he should distance himself from.
Finally, I am shocked that Mr Osinbajo continued his so-called Next Level mission for his slave master Buhari and cohorts in Aso Rock, after such grave incident. I thought he should have been reasonable enough to call off the program and take full day off in sober reflection and grateful supplication to God. What he has done shows clearly that he doesn’t realize what neatly happened to him, nor the embedded message. Na wao!